Belle Fontaine, Vaulruz

The Vaulruz school is located overlooking the Sionge. The topography of the site determines the geometry of the project, and its relationship to the landscape and the village. The entrance to the school is marked by a first enclosure that becomes a cue for students and shows the path to take. It opens onto an outdoor place that articulates the entrance sequence and creates a buffer between the public outdoor space, the forecourt and the school building. The project breaks down into three wings. The access to each wing opens onto a different landscape.

Designed in a village context, the project of the Vaulruz school is located overlooking the Sionge. The Vaulruz school caters for children from 4 to 13 years old. This involves diversifying the spaces according to the different age categories. This connection to the Sionge remains very present and becomes a qualitative feature of the site. The topography of the site determines the geometry of the project, and its relationship to the landscape and the village.
The project frees a courtyard below to facilitate pedestrian access, meeting spaces and vehicle traffic. The entrance to the school is marked by a first enclosure that becomes a cue for students and shows the path to take. It opens onto an outdoor plaza that marks the entrance sequence and provides a buffer between the public outdoor space, the forecourt and the school building.
The project is divided into three wings, one for the primary classes, one for the nursery class, the spare room and the activity room. And one for spaces dedicated to teachers and services.
Each wing retains a relationship to the outside. The access to each wing opens onto a different landscape. A basketball court frees the horizon for the occupants and offers them a sports facility nearby. Does the teachers' wing have a direct access to the outdoor play area, which makes it possible to monitor the children all the time? The playground is at the centre of the project and creates unity between the three wings.
In order to strengthen the interactions between the existing and the new realisation, the choice fell on a unique material: wood. Vaulruz, being a forest municipality, the resource is available in the local forests.