Meier + Associés Architectes

Seismic School “Les Perraires”

Seismic School “Les Perraires”
Courtesy of meier + associés architectes

SEISMIC SCHOOL “LES PERRAIRES”

Meier + associés Architectes

ARCHITECTS
Meier + associés Architectes

FACADE
Arteco

SURVEYOR
Rey Bellet

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Pelco

CLIENT
Municipality of Collombey-Muraz

SANITARY ENGINEER
Tecnoservice

HEATING AND VENTILATION ENGINEER
Tecnoservice

PARTNER ARCHITECT
Cagna + Wenger

LEAD ARCHITECTS
meier + associés architectes (Philippe Meier, Ariane Poncet, Martin Jaques, An-Inès Pepermans)

MANUFACTURERS
GRACE, Lafarge Holcim, Cinca, Gerflor, Glas Trösch, Zumtobel

CIVIL ENGINEER
Muttoni & Fernadez ingénieurs conseils, Kurmann & Cretton SA

COLLABORATORS ARCHITECT
Istabrak Bellara, Daniel Baptista, Teresa Blanco, Sébastien Le Dortz, Arnaud Mottet

PHOTOGRAPHS
Yves André

AREA
2500.0 m2

YEAR
2017

CITY
Collombey-Muraz

COUNTRY
Switzerland

CATEGORY
Schools

Text description provided by architect.

Under the aegis of several designers, the CROCS system (which stands for Centre of Rationalisation and Organisation of School Constructions) has allowed the development of a modular construction principle adapted to school buildings.

Seismic School “Les Perraires”
Courtesy of meier + associés architectes
Seismic School “Les Perraires”
© ©Yves André

Among the pioneer buildings constructed under this principle, the Perraires school in Collombey-Muraz is the latest example of a building that has been preserved almost in its original state. The canton of Valais acknowledged this achievement by initiating steps to protect the work.

The main features of the CROCS system are a 2.40m basic construction frame, as well as a 60cm dual axis structural space which stands out prominently on the facade (thereby proposing a solution to the problem created by the curtain wall angle) and a punctuated, metallic load-bearing structure.

Seismic School “Les Perraires”
Courtesy of meier + associés architectes
Seismic School “Les Perraires”
Courtesy of meier + associés architectes

The extension and transformation project of the Perraires school has chosen to rewrite the CROCS project by selecting elements which define the school’s character, ‘signature’ and richness. The aim is to preserve the school’s original ‘Savoye villa’ character, namely in the form of a piloti that is very slightly detached from the skin of the ground floor, as well as ‘smooth’ floating floors situated above it.

In addition, a concept of four ‘identical’ facades is followed, while at the same time slightly differentiating the design of the new part of the school from the existing part, with a materiality that remains in anodised aluminium.

Seismic School “Les Perraires”
Courtesy of meier + associés architectes
Seismic School “Les Perraires”
© ©Yves André

Within the extension, a new staircase has been positioned in a ‘service’ location, to the north, with a transparency that brings light to this circulation area. The new classrooms, of which there are three on each floor, are positioned so as face the great alpine landscape.

From a structural point of view, the extension contributes to the stabilisation of the whole building, by the presence of V-shaped concrete elements which take hold of, and characterise this new space, just as the metallic modulation characterised the existing part.

Seismic School “Les Perraires”
© ©Yves André
Seismic School “Les Perraires”
© ©Yves André

Non-load bearing interior structures are clad in aluminium as a reflection of the existing panels.

With its understanding and reinterpretation of the CROCS system, the project has led to the use of a completely prefabricated envelope (consisting of six to seven different parts) which has saved a lot of assembly time in addition to optimising costs.

Seismic School “Les Perraires”
Courtesy of meier + associés architectes


Seismic School “Les Perraires”
© ©Yves André
Seismic School “Les Perraires”
© ©Yves André
Seismic School “Les Perraires”
© ©Yves André


Seismic School “Les Perraires”
Section 01
Seismic School “Les Perraires”
Section 02


Seismic School “Les Perraires”
Ground floor plan
Seismic School “Les Perraires”
1st floor plan
Seismic School “Les Perraires”
Situation

Meier + Associés Architectes
T +41 22 7154848
Meier + Associés Architectes
Rue du Môle 38BIS, 1201 Genève, Switzerland