Ferrier Marchetti Studio

The French International School of Beijing

The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe

THE FRENCH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BEIJING

Ferrier Marchetti Studio

LANDSCAPER
Michel Hoessler, Agence Ter

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE OF THE PROJECT
Aurélien Pasquier

PHOTOS
Luc Boegly Photographe (17)

ARCHITECTS
Jacques Ferrier And Pauline Marchetti, Jacques Ferrier Architecture With  Sensual City Studio

STATUS
Built

SIZE
100,000 sqft - 300,000 sqft

YEAR
2016

LOCATION
Beijing, China

TYPE
Educational › Elementary School High School

The French School of Beijing, designed by Jacques Ferrier Architecture, has been imagined as a built landscape.

The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe

It is being developed on a site in the "Orchard" neighbourhood, which takes its name from the old orchards which, until recently, were a defining feature of this stretch of land alongside the road to the airport.

Since then, the development of high-end residential blocks and international schools has introduced a new urban character with collections of low rise buildings alongside generous green spaces.

The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe

The building creates a continuous and unified space on the site, defining the various walkways and in line with the roads.

It offers students and teachers a combination of protected and open spaces, with the landscape always present as a backdrop.

The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe

The ground floor is home to shared spaces and functions: underneath an awning, the communal spaces for the various schools alternate with covered playgrounds. All of the outdoor spaces open towards the canteen's orchard and the sports facilities.

The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe

The entrances to the primary school and the secondary school and college are clearly separated, as are the flows of different students.

There are, however, connections between the different sections of the school for the staff and teachers. The organization of the space is unambiguous and easy to read: the school hall and library are recognizable as soon as you enter.

The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe

From the second floor up, the classrooms are organized in a rational and flexible way. They are clad in a wooden lattice which seems to float above the organic surroundings formed by the lines of fruit trees. From the inside, this lattice is porous enough to let through light and not obscure views of the outside.

It plays a major role in shading the building from the sunlight and protecting the school's activities from outside eyes. Finally, the lattice creates a serene, innovative and identifiable architectural look, drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese architectural.

The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe

The canteen and the gym hall have been designed as pavilions in the orchard. Alongside the stadium, they add the finishing touches to a project which combines architecture and landscaping to create a remarkable, environmentally friendly place of learning.

The metals used in the façades of these two buildings set up a game of reflections between landscaped and built environments.

The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe

The matt aspect of the wooden lattice around the main building interplays with the burnished surfaces of the gym hall and the canteen.

With a contemporary character which avoids modish excesses, the French school takes a long-term view of design, leaving open various possibilities for development and new uses.

The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe


The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe
The French International School of Beijing
© Luc Boegly Photographe


The French International School of Beijing


The French International School of Beijing
The French International School of Beijing


The French International School of Beijing
The French International School of Beijing
The French International School of Beijing
The French International School of Beijing

Ferrier Marchetti Studio
T +33 1 43132020 F +33 1 43132021
Ferrier Marchetti Studio
24 Rue Dareau, 75014 Paris, France