savioz fabrizzi architectes: primary school in volleges

‘primary school in volleges’ by savioz fabrizzi architectes in switzerlandimage © thomas jantscher

swiss practice savioz fabrizzi architectes has completed ‘primary school in volleges’, a three-storey educational facility in the canton of valais, switzerland. a new annex addition to the pre-existing multipurpose hall to the east, the volume defines a central outdoor playground that provides access to several buildings on the site.

elevation image © thomas jantscher

seeking to continue the exterior language of the multipurpose hall, the facades of the new school are constructed out of reinforced concrete, achieving a solid character to the exterior. large rectangular-faced windows regularly punctuate the elevations, balancing out the concrete’s heaviness with a level of transparency. each of the three storeys are made legible from the outside by a subtle skewing of the building’s angles. the resulting volume gains a playful and dynamic identity.

street view image © thomas jantscher

taking advantage of the vantage point of the site, the classrooms secure multiple views of the surrounding landscape and occupy a double-oriented section of the floor plan. the leftover space generates a branching circulation space that provides a simple and intuitive layout. in contrast with the bare concrete used in the hallway and facade, the classrooms are finished with larch wood panels, creating a warmer learning atmosphere.

from central playground image © thomas jantscher

interior view of circulation space image © thomas jantscher

view from staircase image © thomas jantscher

hallway image © thomas jantscher

interior view of classroom image © thomas jantscher

in context image © thomas jantscher

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floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1 and +2

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