frei rezakhanlou architectes: school in chermignon

'school in chermignon' by frei rezakhanlou architectes in chermignon, canton valais, switzerland
all images courtesy frei rezakhanlou architectes
image © thomas jantscher


switzerland-based architecture practice frar has completed 'school in chermignon', a primary school,
kindergarten, and multi-purpose hall in chermignon, canton valais, switzerland. serving five
nearby villages, the education and public facility is situated on a steep site and responds to
the need for several outdoor surfaces by generating a large central forum in between two buildings.



approach
image © thomas jantscher


comprised of two autonomous structures, the design hosts the primary school and
multi-purpose hall on one side of the site, retaining the mountain to the north.
the overall form is pivoted in the middle, clearly delineating the two different programs
in a intuitive layout. the angled volume also hugs and encloses in the outdoor playground,
opening up to the surrounding landscape beyond. sitting on a lower platform on
the opposite side of the site, the kindergarten annex is inserted into the natural topography
of the land. featuring large strips of windows to the south, the two-storey building secures
views down the mountain from the classrooms.



view from central outdoor platform
image © thomas jantscher


constructed out of reinforced concrete, the design achieves a cohesive identity despite
the formal separation. accents of wood throughout the facilities provide contrast while
the multi-purpose hall - the focal point of the complex - is finished entirely in larch.
seeking to provide a learning space that takes advantage of the views offered by the site,
the design projects the interior into the landscape through generously-sized picture windows.



exterior view
image © thomas jantscher



(left) facade
image © thomas jantscher
(right) interior circulation space
image © jean-michel landecy



classroom by window
image © thomas jantscher



interior view of room in kindergarten building
image © jean-michel landecy



lab and circulation space
image © jean-michel landecy



(left) hallway
image © jean-michel landecy
(right) triangular rooflight in entrance
image © thomas jantscher



multi-purpose hall
image © thomas jantscher



view of landscape
image © thomas jantscher



image © jean-michel landecy



outdoor terrace on kindergarten building
image © jean-michel landecy



site plan



cross section through site



floor plan / level 0 / primary school



floor plan / level +1 / primary school




floor plan / level +2 / primary school



longitudinal section / primary school



south elevation / primary school



floor plan / level -1 / kindergarten



floor plan / level 0 / kindergarten



longitudinal section / kindergarten



south elevation / kindergarten