dominique coulon & associés: josephine baker school in la courneuve

'josephine baker school' by dominique coulon & associés, la courneuve, france
image © eugeni pons photography


strasbourg based-practice dominique coulon & associés has created 'josephine baker'
a group of schools in la courneuve, france. occupying a trapezoid-shaped plot of land,
the scheme looks to reorganize the site while referencing and corresponding to a pair
of housing blocks that once stood in its place.



front
image © eugeni pons photography


linked by a system of ramps and stairways, the interconnected volumes produce an
organic and integrated organization that separates the primary and nursery classrooms.
strategically deployed around the triangular site, the school features a collection of
buildings that accommodate elevated sports areas, merging playgrounds and
interstitial gardens.



side
images © eugeni pons photography


bold and cantilevered volumes fold and slide around the site, creating an enclosed and
protected form. a series of voids, indentations and changes in color break up the vertically
dominant facade which reacts to the intersecting axis and historical landmarks that
surround the school. inside, winding passageways and large thresholds participate in a subtle
two fold movement of advance and retreat, meant to gently separate the child from both its
parents and the nearby playgrounds.



side
image © eugeni pons photography



approach
images © eugeni pons photography



various structures come together to form the school yard
image © eugeni pons photography



school yard
image © eugeni pons photography



sheltered area
image © eugeni pons photography



bright orange contrasts the dominant white forms, bouncing sunshine around the school yard
image © olivier nicollas photographe



outdoor space
image © olivier nicollas photographe



play areas
(left) image © nicolas foucher photography
(right) image © olivier nicollas photographe



rooftop soccer field
image © eugeni pons photography



ramp and bridges leading to sports areas
image © eugeni pons photography



rooftop sports areas
image © olivier nicollas photographe



classroom
image © eugeni pons photography



classroom
image © eugeni pons photography



upper corridor
image © eugeni pons photography



stairway
images © eugeni pons photography



main hallway
image © eugeni pons photography



entrance to classrooms
image © eugeni pons photography



corridor
image © delphine george photographe



side
image © eugeni pons photography



image © eugeni pons photography



floor plan / level 0
image courtesy of dominique coulon & associés




floor plan / level 1
image courtesy of dominique coulon & associés



roof plan
image courtesy of dominique coulon & associés



diagram
image courtesy of dominique coulon & associés