eva samuel architecte et associes: ecole maternelle javelot

‘ecole maternelle javelot’ by eva samuel architecte et associes, paris, france image © gaston bergeret

french firm eva samuel architecte et associes have completed ‘ecole maternelle javelot’, located in paris, france. the reconstruction of the kindergarten takes the shape of a gleaming toy between the towers in the neighborhood. it is part of a revival plan to create 60-70% more density and mixed-use functions in the area. the city undertook it as a project of land consolidation and redevelopment of outdoor spaces. the school intends to enhance the image of its context by resisting the overwhelming presence of the concrete towers.

the buildings envelope serves many environmental goals: visibility protection, natural light, solar light masks, no thermal bridging, and doubling flowing natural ventilation, to become the first school to meet the climate plan of the city of paris. the result is a thick facade of varying reliefs, windows and niches, a motif which also continues onto the roof incorporating light shafts, central air handling and ventilation stacks. the different raspberry colored extrusions slice into the iridescent aluminum siding which changes from pink to green to gray gold, according to the movement and reflection of the light.

image © gaston bergeret

the atmosphere of the interior is serene and gentle filled with materials like wood that bow out to the windows. its thickness gives the feeling of great protection and minimizes a vis-à-vis with the towers. the students enjoy appropriate micro-sites which are generated by the depth of the small rooms, reading windows, dinettes and hiding places.

surrounding landscape image © gaston bergeret

extruding facade image © gaston bergeret

dynamic changing exterior image © gaston bergeret

image © gaston bergeret

aerial view image © gaston bergeret

detail of aluminum image © gaston bergeret

interior boxes image © gaston bergeret

image © gaston bergeret

detail of a cubby space image © gaston bergeret

level / 0 image © eva samuel architecte et associes

section image © eva samuel architecte et associes

wall detail image © eva samuel architecte et associes

project info:

owner: paris city hall project management team: e. samuel & associates architects, s. roman architecture, s. dirvariu and f. laheurte assistants economist: forgue structure: evp fluid: bethac kitchen designer: arwytec high environmental quality: rfr, elements acoustic: ayda program: kindergarten, 8 classes, catering school and rehab area: 2400 m2 budget: 8.5 million euros delivery: 2011 company: eiffage