Ecole Jean de la Fontaine


Architect / Designer:
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FAAR Paysage
EGIS
Acoustibel
Process Cuisines
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Inspired by the plurality of constructions characterizing the region, from the gabarres sailing on the Loire to the sheds flourishing in family gardens, the architects of our studio design this new school as a refuge. The imagery of the cabin is imposed both for its evocative power and for the suggested proximity to a wild environment. This dreamlike built figure is reflected in the volumetry of the three building bodies housing the dining area, classrooms, and gymnasium, respectively.
Their horizontality, low roof ridges, and unique formal features—sometimes overlapping, sometimes roof overhangs—shape the silhouette of the facility, making it stand out from the street. Set on a narrow, elongated plot, the Jean de la Fontaine school now covers an area of 1948 m². The implementation of the project combines the requirements of the program with a genuine desire to deepen the links established between the school and its landscape context. This conceptual intention is seen in a triptych as one progresses through the building, with the first part embodied by the forecourt.
Central to our construction concerns is a great consideration for the comfort and well-being of both young and adult users. Non-polluting, bio-based, free from volatile organic compounds, sourced locally, promoting the circular economy and prefabrication… From the building materials to the finishing elements and insulators, the products used have been rigorously sourced to align with the requirements of sustainable development and the main principles of bioclimatic design.
ALTA Architectes
Maxime Le Trionnaire and Gwénaël Le Chapelain, joined forces in 2010 and took over the reins of ALTA, developing their architectural visions through emblematic projects such as the Tour Amazonie in Nantes (2015) and the Lycée la Providence in Saint-Malo (2022). Strictly speaking, it is not a question of establishing a style, or even a particular style, the materials vary: concrete for a discreet spotlight on a wood-fired boiler room, providential steel, stone, even wood and straw or glass, the material is not an end in itself. On the other hand, there is an overriding concern for use, which can be seen, for example, in the treatment of the external extensions, the concern for structure and the work on the windows and openings. Today ALTA has a staff of 36 who work on architecture that is resolutely contemporary, contextual and responsive. Each of the architectural responses tends towards its own singularity, respectful of the proposed programme.