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