Olivier-Métra School / aasb_agence d’architecture suzelbrout

Architects: aasb_agence d’architecture suzelbrout / Suzel Brout
Location: Paris, France
Project Year: 2009
Project Area: 3000 sqm
Photographs: Hervé Abbadie

Olivier-Métra school is set on a plot surrounded by 1930s red brick HBM (habitations à bon marché / social housing) and small houses with gardens. The area is dominated by recent major housing projects located on Belleville Hill. The aim of the project is to create a building that stands out of the heterogeneous architectural fabric.

Seeking space and light, the school sets into the urban fabric. The free volumes, federated by the use of a sole material, pre-weathered zinc, spring out and create liaisons and the vegetation penetrates into the breach. The southern light slips into the playground, punctuated by a colored floor that continues into the classrooms. Facing east, the classrooms enjoy morning sun.