Located in La Plaine Saint-Denis (93), the Académie Fratellini is an internationally renowned circus school, a leisure school, and a venue for the creation and presentation of performances. After major renovation and expansion work, the Académie Fratellini has reopened its doors to the public in 2025.
Founded by Annie Fratellini and Pierre Étaix in 1974 and based in Saint-Denis since 2003, the Académie Fratellini has undergone an ambitious restructuring and expansion project led by the architectural and interior design agency Atelier du Pont.
The new project follows in the architectural footsteps of the original designers, Patrick Bouchain and Loïc Julienne, preserving the atmosphere and strong identity of this vibrant and extraordinary place.
A new site designed for the users and the area
Over the last 20 years, the Académie Fratellini has grown considerably and has had to rethink the way it operates, as well as its site, which was initially designed to be ephemeral. Atelier du Pont’s intervention made it possible to preserve the existing buildings, expand the Academy, and redesign its general functioning to simplify daily life for users, encourage simultaneous activities, and open the site up to the surrounding area.
Two side wings were added to La Halle to become La Grande Halle, providing the college and administration with new premises for teaching and staff work. The structure was reinforced, notably to allow for the installation of circus apparatus. The now-cleared central volume has become a new welcoming space for circus practice, public reception, and events.
A new 17-meter-high creation and performance studio, the Studio Zéro, has been built to complement the existing facilities. With a frontal configuration, it is adapted to the needs of contemporary circus.
To unite these different programmes, a new, lively square opens out onto the city, providing a breath of fresh air and a space for social interaction. These improvements reinforce the local roots of the Académie Fratellini and the connection with its neighbourhood.
An exemplary environmental approach
The project stands out for its ambitious environmental approach, and is part of the Bâtiment Durable Francilien Silver level reference system.
The materials used are mostly bio-sourced and locally sourced, reducing the project's carbon footprint and promoting sustainable supply chains.
An unprecedented reuse strategy was implemented, including the setup of a reuse store inside the Grand Chapiteau during the construction period, extending the original project philosophy: working with what exists, recycling, and transforming.
The goals set at the design stage have been fully achieved:
70% by value of the materials entering the site are reused, biosourced or geosourced,
90% by mass of all the materials resulting from the meticulous deconstruction were reused or recycled in situ or ex-situ.
Team:
Arhitects: Atelier du Pont
Photographer: Camille Gharbi
