ECOLE DE LA PETITE ENFANCE

The foreseen extension of the primary school and the construction of a new nursery, in the village of Belfaux, propose a reflection on the theme of the school in the park, plunged into the landscape and supported by model of urbanity grounded on the rural village. Coherently, two different building hosts the program; while they define –in accordance with the settlement logic of the existing building – a consistent set gathering around a central open space. Here is the core of the school complex. The displacement of the new buildings, both in plan an in section, opens ample views over the surrounding countryside while adapting to the existing topography and offering a direct contact with the natural ground. The whole built structure achieves a unitary character offering the typical qualities of a small-town square. Meanwhile, its dimension results coherent with the scale and perception of children reinforcing the relation with nature and the countryside. The same effort is to be found in the composition of the building façade where large ribbon windows foster children’s contact with the park. The resulting space achieves both richness and complexity corresponding to the specificity of the school program and the need of the diverse age groups.