Jean Louis Étienne school east of Paris is a transitional space for children to grow and thrive.

The school group is the very first element of a new district in the development area of Coupvray, on the boundary of town and country. It is designed to create a founding and structuring public facility for the future inhabitants of this extension of the town.

The building expresses the town-country boundary through two distinct materials. From the outside, the Hainaut blue stone gives it a striking aspect, while the facades are softer and trimmed with larch wood, facing the great landscape of Marne Valley.

The structure evolves according to the school's path, unfolding, widening and rising to gain height. Kindergarten classes face the heart of the building, which embraces the needs of younger students much like a protective cocoon. As the children pass through the school they move on to the elementary section, located on two further floors that open up to represent and encourage both personal and educational growth.

This project has been longlisted in the civic building category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

Architect: Archi5

Project: Jean Louis Étienne school