Designed by Matali Crasset, this rural school project in Trébédan, France is part of restructuring existing buildings and the new part is designed as a platform for business.
“The concept of transfer has always been at the center of my life as a designer. For this school project I asked about this concept from the architectural point of view.” Crasset explains
This school project extends beyond the boundaries of form and function, and is led by a structure in which all the constraints are deactivated. The buildings are defined as platforms for activity, such as tables open to the outside.
Among the four parts there are partitions of identical size.Their nature is defined according to their exposure to the sun, to the south partitions are transparent (with triple glazing) and north become opaque.
The architecture of transition between the old and the new, with a minimal aesthetic is of course place in the existing building, creating additional space for two classrooms renovated.
Space bought out quite naturally become an outdoor patio ideal to propose more extensive facilities, which will complement this basic structure composed of tables and chairs.Existing parts is not affected, but are installed new furniture to give a new look to teaching. The classes are identical to the renovated new classroom built from scratch.
The cozy furnishings combines the warmth of wood and the strength of the metal.
The construction of all the buildings face onto the playground which is shared with the village inhabitants while the large windows provide the interior spaces with abundant natural light. The existing single-storey building has been extended to create a large area for two new renovated classrooms. Distinguishing her style throughout each space, the classrooms have been brightly colored while, an increase in flexibility allows and encourage the children to freely perform their own activities.
“The building in its entirety curves towards the inner playground area, like a protective arm around a child, and at the same time opens up to a protected terrace area where the little ones can plant, watch grow, interact with the vegetation … it forms an angle, giving a central area to the school, allowing to perfectly differentiate the buildings which will always be used for teaching purposes and those, further from the center, which once the school is finished will also be used by all the inhabitants of the village.”– Matali Crasset 
The intention of opening a school multi-use is also demonstrated by its four “extensions of generosity.” It is of architectural structures of micro-wood with an identical shaped bubble.
All Images © Philippe Piron
