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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. The French International School of Beijing in China by Jacques Ferrier Architecture with Sensual City StudioDecember 21st, 2016 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Jacques Ferrier Architecture The French School of Beijing, designed by Jacques Ferrier Architecture and Sensual City Studio, has been imagined as a built landscape. It is being developed on a site in the “Orchard” neighbourhood, which takes its name from the old orchards which, until recently, were a defining feature of this stretch of land alongside the road to the airport. Since then, the development of high-end residential blocks and international schools has introduced a new urban character with collections of low rise buildings alongside generous green spaces.  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly
 Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly The building creates a continuous and unified space on the site, defining the various walkways and in line with the roads. It offers students and teachers a combination of protected and open spaces, with the landscape always present as a backdrop. The ground floor is home to shared spaces and functions: underneath an awning, the communal spaces for the various schools alternate with covered playgrounds. All of the outdoor spaces open towards the canteen’s orchard and the sports facilities.  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly The entrances to the primary school and the secondary school and college are clearly separated, as are the flows of different students. There are, however, connections between the different sections of the school for the staff and teachers. The organization of the space is unambiguous and easy to read: the school hall and library are recognizable as soon as you enter.  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly From the second floor up, the classrooms are organized in a rational and flexible way. They are clad in a wooden lattice which seems to float above the organic surroundings formed by the lines of fruit trees. From the inside, this lattice is porous enough to let through light and not obscure views of the outside. It plays a major role in shading the building from the sunlight and protecting the school’s activities from outside eyes. Finally, the lattice creates a serene, innovative and identifiable architectural look, drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese architectural.  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly The canteen and the gym hall have been designed as pavilions in the orchard. Alongside the stadium, they add the finishing touches to a project which combines architecture and landscaping to create a remarkable, environmentally-friendly place of learning. The metals used in the façades of these two buildings set up a game of reflections between landscaped and built environments.  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly The matt aspect of the wooden lattice around the main building interplays with the burnished surfaces of the gym hall and the canteen. With a contemporary character which avoids modish excesses, the French school takes a long-term view of design, leaving open various possibilities for development and new uses.  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Luc Boegly  Image Courtesy © Jacques Ferrier Architecture  Image Courtesy © Jacques Ferrier Architecture  Image Courtesy © Jacques Ferrier Architecture  Image Courtesy © Jacques Ferrier Architecture  Image Courtesy © Jacques Ferrier Architecture  Image Courtesy © Jacques Ferrier Architecture  Image Courtesy © Jacques Ferrier Architecture
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