The school site adjoins a large commercial zone in the Central Valais region. The design of the new school responds to this particular context with a generously proportioned building. Almost hermetic in its outward expression, it shields a rich and luminous inner life.
The building hosts three distinct spatial entities devoted to teaching, sport, and extracurricular activities. These entities are arranged in a logical sequence. The sheltered courtyard provides access to the three separate entrances.
The half-buried double sports hall, which occupies the ground floor and basement, is overlooked by a concourse with balcony. It receives natural light through the large expanse of glazing facing the Conthey hillside to the north.
The extracurricular activities entity is adjoined to the sports hall. Arranged in a row, its four activity spaces look out eastwards towards the park.
The school occupies the entire footprint of the sports hall and extracurricular entity. Conceived to offer a rich inner life, it promotes an integrated teaching experience. Facing east and west, the eight classrooms open onto wide access-balconies. Square in proportion, the rooms receive secondary daylight from interior patios that punctuate the large central distribution area. The small rooms also open onto the patios. Sliding walls provide access to the adjacent classrooms. The central distribution area offers well-lit sub-areas for a variety of activities.
Featuring black anodised aluminium, the façade of the building contrasts with the interior cladding comprising white laminated panels: these line the wooden structure of the upper floor, which is laid on the concrete structure of the base. Contrasting shades define the various functions and activities.
