The complex, which combines a kindergarten and primary school with a gym for local residents, appeared in the suburbs of Paris Boulogne-Billancourt, on the former territory of the Renault plant, now occupied by dense development - residential and office.
The architects sought to return biodiversity to urban areas by creating a full-fledged ecosystem for this, which would not only improve the quality of the environment, but also serve as a “visual aid” for children. Therefore, the Primary School of Science and Biodiversity is equipped with a “mineral wall” and a green roof.
"Mineral" facades are made up of protruding concrete blocks with a smooth front surface and textured side surfaces: these irregularities direct rainwater flows along the ends of the blocks. In addition, the blocks provide recesses for planting ferns and moss, as well as holes where insects and bats can settle, arrange bird nests - swallows, swifts, starlings, kestrels, redstarts, robins. Up to a height of 2 meters, the facades were left smoother - to make it more difficult for predatory animals and intruders to climb up.
The roof of the building is divided into two parts - "steppe" with a layer of soil 50 cm, and forest and shrub with a meter layer of soil. These plants will provide food for the inhabitants of facades and roofs. In addition, this artificial landscape has graced the view from the windows of the office and residential buildings surrounding the Chartier Dalix School.
The architects gave their building an "elastic" shape, which covers its varied program - a kindergarten (7 classrooms, a canteen and a leisure center) and an elementary school (11 classes, a canteen and a leisure center), two playgrounds for toddlers and schoolchildren, respectively, as well as a public sports hall, where 250 spectators can be accommodated during the competition. There are also administrative offices and parking for employees.
