Leonard De Vinci High School Montpellier Reconstruction in France by HELLIN-SEBBAG Architectes Associés

Article source: HELLIN-SEBBAG Architectes Associés 

Subsequent to delivering staff housing and reception building in 2013, this autumn the Hellin-Sebbag Architectes Associés office completed the second phase of the reconstruction of this building trades high school.

The architect’s appointment comprised different scales – from urban space to furniture.

Shaded terrace that gives access to media centre, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

• Architects: HELLIN-SEBBAG Architectes Associés
• Project: Leonard De Vinci High School Montpellier Reconstruction
• Location: rue du Professeur Blayac, 34080 Montpellier, France
• Photography: Benoit WEHRLÉ
• Software used: Autocad
  
• Client: Région Occitanie
  
• Surface total new surface: 12,324 m² (shon)
• Total surface rehabilitated: 8 869 m² (shon)
• Cost of work: 29 000 000 € ht (value october 2013)

Canteen terrace opens onto south planted courtyard, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Planning
Complete replanning of the 4-hectare site, the four new buildings built around a 450m² square courtyard organise the school grounds as an urban square: student foyer , media centre, student activities, canteen and boarding accommodation.

To avoid the image of “hutches” within the bitumen courtyard, around beautiful existing trees the architects built a Mediterranean garden where pupils can relax freely.

Media centre and student foyer seen from canteen terrace, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Open towards courtyard, media centre reading area benefits from roof lighting, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Architecture

The architects paid particular attention to the transition between the inside and outside.

Identifiable by its red frame, a ground floor terrace extends the canteen to the south by opening onto the courtyard. Alongside the boarding accommodation, a covered gallery extends into the garden as a large step where it is good to sit.

Media centre connects two teaching buildings by two footbridges, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Connecting bridge between reception building and media centre, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Connected to both teaching buildings by two footbridges on the first floor, a small white pavilion extended by a vast terrace accommodates the media centre. Protected by a sunshade, the terrace overlooking the garden becomes a central place for exchanges and relaxation.

Below this terrace, the well-shaded courtyard is punctuated by the pupils foyer that nestles into a glass ellipse.

Vertical fins delimit student foyer ellipse, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Red frame indicates canteen terrace, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Design

The atmosphere within each space has been designed according to its function with particular care and originality. In the canteen, a sinuous curved partition/counter creates a separation between the self-service and the dining area while small oval-shaped islands define areas of intimacy very appreciated by pupils.

Similarly in the media centre, the magazine rack and screen support tables were specially designed by the architects.

Planted courtyard seen from school grounds, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Wide step in front of boarding accommodation where it is good to sit, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Low energy consumption

Thermal comfort is provided by reinforced external insulation, double flow ventilation and external solar protection.

Financed by the Occitanie Region for 29 € million excluding taxes, the two construction phases in occupied premises lasted nearly eight years.

Raised above ground, white frame indicates media centre, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Small oval-shaped islands create areas of intimacy within canteen appreciated by pupils, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Undulating partition/counter provides separation from self-service, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Covered gallery along boarding accommodation gives access to activity and weightlifting rooms, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Boarding accommodation – 3-pupil bedroom interior, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Boarding accommodation – wide corridor indicates access to 4-bedroom groups, Image Courtesy © Benoit WEHRLÉ

Image Courtesy © HELLIN-SEBBAG Architectes Associés

Image Courtesy © HELLIN-SEBBAG Architectes Associés

Image Courtesy © HELLIN-SEBBAG Architectes Associés

Tags: France, Montpellier

Categories: Autocad, Offices, Renovation, School

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