Sonia Delaunay School

Sonia Delaunay School
© Sergio Grazia

Sonia Delaunay School

Aden Architectes

ENGINEERING FIRM
Gruet

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
Lydie Chauvac

ASSOCIATES
Alexandre Olujic, Cyrine Busson

COST OF CONSTRUCTION
5 400 000 € Ht

PHOTOGRAPHS
Sergio Grazia

AREA
3000 M²

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
Courbevoie, France

CATEGORY
Educational Architecture, Elementary & Middle School

Text description provided by architect.

The town of Courbevoie took the decision to build the new Sonia Delaunay school after the joining together of Florian and Hugo, two existing pre-schools.

Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes
Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes

The new school includes nine classrooms and five other rooms for after-school and extra-curricular activities spread over 3000m².

The programme included restructuring the existing premises and an extension with a new reception area with a lodge, three extra classrooms, offices, meeting rooms and toilet facilities, extensions to the motricity room and the canteen and an assembly hall.

Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes
Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes

The premises were also brought up to norms in terms of accessibility, fire and the re-heating room. The outside spaces, playground area and garden (3000m²) were entirely refurbished.

Construction of a New Extension (on stilts, in the centre)

Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes
Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes

The existing slope on the ground and the disparity between the existing buildings meant that an extension would simultaneously be a “link” and an “articulation” inserted into the existing buildings thus providing the school with a “new identity”.

“Link”: the building located at the centre of the site physically links the two existing school buildings and allows children to go from one building to another sheltered from the elements.

Sonia Delaunay School
© Sergio Grazia
Sonia Delaunay School
© Sergio Grazia

“Articulation”: The construction of the building in half-floors that are accessible by half stairs (+ a double-entry lift), allows traffic to move from the existing level 0 to the three other levels:+1m50, -1m, +3m40 (classes on the platform).

“TREE HOUSE” CLASSROOMS

“New identity”: the new building is located at the heart of the site and inserts itself with precision between the existing buildings, while standing out thanks to its contemporary style and architectural lines.

Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes
Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes
Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes

The activity rooms are elevated and open out in a curved balcony. Underneath them we find the extension to the canteen, the toilet facilities and a big hall.

The lodge slots in between the two with a panoramic view both of the ramp that access the school and the playground.

EXECUTION

The architects and the engineering office produced all of the plans and details for their execution.

Sonia Delaunay School
© Sergio Grazia
Sonia Delaunay School
© Sergio Grazia

This included rundowns for all contractors involved on the building site (15 lots for general contractors Lainé-Delau, VINCI construction)

DETAIL

A technical detail was devised to avoid using slabs on paving supports that are not suitable for a school yard and to make the roof look like a real floor as it will be accessed by the children. The raised platform has a sloped concrete topping and a layer of tarmac.

Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes
Sonia Delaunay School
© Sergio Grazia

The hidden waterproofing is folded under the metal railing attached with chemical pegs “à l’anglaise” (mounted).

The lack of acroterion and the transparency of the guardrail gives a lighter, almost vertigo effect. The children have a steep view of the yard below and a real connection with the sky. They feel like they can touch the tops of the trees.

Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes
Sonia Delaunay School
© Sergio Grazia
Sonia Delaunay School
© Sergio Grazia

A ROOFTOP GARDENING CLASS

The roof of the canteen houses a large U-shaped flowerbed so the children can grow plants and flowers depending on the season.

The activity rooms and the teachers’ meeting room open directly on to the roof garden.


Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes
Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes
Sonia Delaunay School
Courtesy of ADEN architectes


Sonia Delaunay School
Section


Sonia Delaunay School
Floor Plan
Sonia Delaunay School
Diagram


Sonia Delaunay School
Diagram Phase 1
Sonia Delaunay School
Diagram Phase 2


Sonia Delaunay School
Detailn