

chartier dalix’s parisian primary school encourages biodiversity

image © p. guignard / SAEM val de seine

in the western suburbs of paris, french practice chartier dalix architectes has completed a primary school topped with a large green roof. conceived as an ‘elevated landscape’, the project seeks to introduce elements of the natural environment to an urban context.

the scheme involves two structures: a school with eighteen classrooms, and a sports facility that is open for local residents. the public gymnasium rises to a height of 12 meters, while educational spaces are primarily housed on the ground and first floors, before rising progressively to the third storey.



the project seeks to introduce elements of the natural environment to an urban context

image © david foessel

a mineral wall connects the two buildings, forming the boundary of the plot. this living wall is made from prefabricated concrete blocks, whose indentations provide new environments for both vegetation and wildlife. the staggering of these large bricks increases the types of potential habitat for the different species expected on the site.



the two external playgrounds establish a clear and reciprocal dialogue

image © cyrille weiner

the highly compact building has been designed as a living landscape, with the two external playgrounds establishing a clear and reciprocal dialogue. above the gymnasium, the roof canopy is home to a wide variety of vegetation: an area of mesophilus plants, a shrub-land fringe and a woodland island. as well as ensuring the site’s biodiversity, the elevated garden also results in pleasant external views from the school’s neighboring apartments.



the school is topped with a tiered green roof

image © david foessel



a mineral wall connects the two buildings, forming the boundary of the plot

(left) image © david foessel

(right) image © cyrille weiner



the living wall is made from prefabricated concrete blocks

(left) image © cyrille weiner

(right) image © david foessel



indentations provide new environments for both vegetation and wildlife

image © david foessel



the site’s gymnasium is open to the public

(left) image © david foessel

(right) image © cyrille weiner



the elevated garden results in pleasant external views from the school’s neighboring apartments

image © cyrille weiner





site plan

floor plan / level -1

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1

floor plan / level +2

floor plan / level +3

section

section

north elevation

east elevation

south elevation

west elevation full article here

project info:

location: ZAC seguin rive de seine boulogne-billancourt, france

school address: 12-14-16 traverse jules-guesde

gymnasium address: 44 rue marcel-bontemps

contractor: SAEM val de seine

company: bouygues ouvrages publics

architect: chartier dalix architectes

BET: EVP [structure], CFERM [fluids], f. bougon [eco], f. boutté [hqe], A.E.U. [ecologist], biodiversita [biodiversity]

site surface area: 5,164 sqm

net surface area: 6,766 sqm

gymnasium net surface area: 2,423.7 sqm

school net surface area: 4,209 sqm

official accommodation net surface area: 120.5 sqm

cost: 18,799,869 euros (before tax)

completed: july 2014