‘ZIK’ by k-architectures in granville, franceall images courtesy k-architecturesphotographer: simon deprez

paris-based k-architectures has sent us images of their most recent project, ‘ZIK’, a music school outside of the port town of granville, france. inserted into a site characterized by rolling fields of wheat, the inter-municipal facility features a series of extending arms that slip into the terrain, purposely blurring its architecture with the land.

k architectures: ZIK music school - 2exterior view

retained to a single-storey, the verticial heights of the design responses to the needs of the building’s various programs. ranging from barn-like silhouettes to tall rectangular volumes, the overall form of the school adopts a dynamic and playful look. the finger-like wings which stretch out from the central axis features a sloped green roof which invites elements of the land onto itself, further diluting its presence in the rural setting. wrapped in pre-patinated copper panelling finished in a pastel blue-green, the facades are punctured with regular, vertical windows which enhances the interior with both natural daylighting and views of the surrounding fields.

k architectures: ZIK music school - 3from the hills

hosting a number of different spaces for specific functions – individual rehearsal rooms, classrooms, percussion, jazz, chamber music and orchestral rehearsal rooms – the architects paid close attention to the acoustic requirements and sound characteristics of the facility. running along a central corridor, the spine-like circulation dictated the intuitive arrangement of the internal space. 

k architectures: ZIK music school - 4 extending green roofs

k architectures: ZIK music school - 5

k architectures: ZIK music school - 6

k architectures: ZIK music school - 7views of facade

k architectures: ZIK music school - 8interior view of rehearsal room

k architectures: ZIK music school - 9 (left) study space (right) circulation

k architectures: ZIK music school - 10 rehearsal room

k architectures: ZIK music school - 11 (left) entrance (right) hallway

k architectures: ZIK music school - 12night view

k architectures: ZIK music school - 13overall perspective

k architectures: ZIK music school - 14rendering

k architectures: ZIK music school - 15site map

k architectures: ZIK music school - 16site plan

k architectures: ZIK music school - 17ground floor plan