Charmille-Schuman

Programme: Restructuring of a 2.1 ha site into a new eco-district comprising 1.85 ha of outdoor spaces, sports and play areas, courtyards, vegetable gardens, alleys and roads and sustainable buildings: 1 sports hall for competitions, 1 gym, 2 schools, 1 parking lot, 1 crèche and 30 housing units. The project brings together complex programs in an exemplary ensemble in environmental terms and ensures harmonious transitions and relationships between the various typologies and uses.

About: The functions are arranged around a large meeting space in the heart of the schools, within compact buildings that are articulated between two pedestrian squares along an axial alley that connects them to each other and to the neighborhood. Compactness optimizes construction costs, energy and maintenance and frees up public spaces for the neighborhood. It allows for the creation of landscaped and recreational spaces as well as shared spaces, drop-off points, roads and parking lots for efficient management of the neighborhood's flows. The landscaping, water management, biodiversity and soft mobility implemented, offer users an efficient and friendly living together. The spatial organization allows the connection of functions sharing synergies (refectories and administration in full contact with the courtyards), a better use of available surfaces (the semi-buried sports hall benefits from natural light while allowing the use of its roof as an outdoor playground, its proximity to the multi-purpose hall allows the sharing of the cafeteria) as well as the reduction of flows (the gym on the top floor reduces the circulation between classes while giving it light and views). The project is rational while offering a great diversity of spatial experiences, perspectives, light... with a playful and educational aim (choice of materials, vegetable gardens, open air tanks, local vegetation...)