The Cairn
The design of our school complex stems from the particular shape of the site. Its architectural typology makes it possible to optimise every part of the plot while reconnecting the surrounding neighbourhood through a building that brings a sense of softness to its architectural approach, both in terms of its varying heights and the materials selected. Changes in level, transparency and porosity allow light and views to flow through, creating the impression of a building that integrates respectfully and subtly into its surroundings while enriching them.
The main street-facing façade consists of a white concrete structure, in a light stone colour, which appears symbolically balanced on rocks that will be extracted from nearby quarries.
The overall construction principle is based on combining white concrete—always expressed with slender profiles and projecting elements—with timber, which is consistently set back and protected from rainwater that could damage it. The building therefore offers remarkable durability and environmental performance.
Our project places natural light at the heart of the design in all its forms, whether filtered, direct or diffused. Every room in the building, including the corridors, benefits from natural light, because we believe that there are no secondary spaces in a school and that every area should encourage children’s development and the well-being of its users. The patio at the entrance hall brings a sense of height and breathing space to the covered forecourt. Upstairs, the glazed roof brings natural light to the circulation areas and to the forecourt below.
The materials convey a warm, joyful and luminous atmosphere, creating a place that everyone can make their own. The colours are soft and light, introduced through details such as furniture and decorative elements, allowing the building itself to stand the test of time.
The façades overlooking the playgrounds, meanwhile, have been designed to bring movement and diversity. They evoke assemblage compositions reminiscent of the very first Kapla constructions or sticker games. They also draw inspiration from traditional construction methods once used for the ventilated façades of mountain farmhouses, reinterpreted in a contemporary way.
Throughout the project, the eye is drawn to unexpected forms that capture attention, enliven the atmosphere and stimulate the imagination. Timber creates shapes that animate the building and awaken the senses: sometimes drawing the eye upwards through vertical slats and double-height spaces, sometimes zigzagging beneath the covered playground. Here, the spiral traced by the staircase; there, the large rounded forms of the rocks—all these elements punctuate the views, animate the spaces and offer a variety of shapes and possibilities.
Ultimately, with this project, we have designed a place unlike any other: a place where the outdoors is just as engaging as the indoors, and a new place for living and sharing that provides a strong focal point for the neighbourhood. The architecture of our building is experienced as a journey, guiding users along gardens, patios and spaces with free-flowing, unexpected forms, creating a continuous promenade in which vegetation is ever-present. One can breathe, be surprised and marvel, far removed from the monotony of traditional forms, in a place where every detail has been thoughtfully designed to offer its users a truly unique experience.
