The Small School in Grand Paris designed by Hubert & Roy Architectes et Associés and located at LeBourget, France, combines conventional materials with contemporary building techniques and practices. It is a sort of all-around project in that it’s design seems to look deeper into what it is to be an intelligent, ecologically conscious building. The structure for the building is formed entirely out of timber which has been digitally optimized and prefabricated in a workshop-factory. These frames were then mounted into place at intervals of 1.5 m over the course of several months by two craftsman!
Courtesy of Hervé, Abbadie
The building is covered with a green roof which tracks up and down with the building’s spinal form. This offers water retention and thermal mass for insulation. A large ‘oriel’ window opens out of the roof, drawing heat gain for the spaces during the winter and offering a grand view across the landscape from within the school.
Courtesy of Hervé, Abbadie
The building is clad in 4mm aluminum panels which align to the structure’s 1.5m spacing. Behind this thin cladding, insulation is installed, making use of the thickness of the structure. Within these aluminum clad walls the school exists in two parts. On the lower floor, kindergarten classes are located with direct access to the schoolyard. An elementary school is located on the upper floors.
