In Tremblay-en-France, Gaëtan Le Penhuel Architectes & Associés have realized a project that redefines the educational landscape. The Simone Veil school group, recipient of the Équerre d’argent 2025 Prize, stands as a model for sustainable, human-focused design. Set in a tranquil area of detached homes, the facility’s program is ambitious: eight classrooms, a multipurpose room, a restaurant, administrative spaces, and a guardian’s flat, all crowned by a rooftop playing field shared with the broader community.
Shared Spaces and Flexible Design
Departing from the conventional leisure centre, the city’s vision called for expanded classrooms and communal areas, fostering shared experiences between pupils and preschoolers. The design maintains the original footprint while delivering a more spacious, modular, and comfortable environment. The heart of the school is its north-south lobby, a living space designed for both learning and social exchange. Three alcoves within the lobby encourage diverse methods of learning and community appropriation.
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Circulation and Connectivity
A “classrooms’ street” traverses the building from east to west, intersected by an interior play area that serves as the school’s vibrant core. Each segment of this axis accommodates four classrooms and patios, with vestibules and game stands at every entrance. The central play area is a flexible zone, welcoming preschoolers during extended hours and providing space for exhibitions, performances, or indoor recreation during inclement weather.
Dual-Aspect Classrooms and Outdoor Integration
Classrooms benefit from dual orientations, drawing in natural light and fresh air from both north-facing patios and the southern playground. Wooden shared spaces between classrooms create serene zones, while expansive southern volumes connect directly to the playground, blending private and communal play. Shaded outdoor areas extend the learning environment, and the playground, bordered by trees, serves as a green setting for discovery and play. The rooftop is dedicated to biodiversity, featuring vegetable beds and picnic tables for hands-on environmental education, alongside a playing field accessible during recreation times.
Commitment to Sustainability
Environmental responsibility is integral to the school’s identity. Locally sourced load-bearing stone from Bonneuil-en-Valois provides thermal inertia and sculptural character, while mud bricks and wood structures showcase natural, bio-sourced materials. Patios punctuate the plan, ensuring natural light, ventilation, and comfort throughout. Photovoltaic panels on the sports roof generate surplus energy, and planted roofs enhance thermal performance and rainwater retention, creating a positive impact for both users and the surrounding neighborhood.
Project Details
- Client: City of Tremblay-en-France
- Architects: Le Penhuel & Associés (Lead), Nebbia (Landscape), Emenda (Sustainability), Batiserf (Structural), BMF (Cost), Ergo Zen (Ergonomics), Impédance (Acoustics), ATEC (Kitchen)
- Program: School complex with eight classrooms, sports hall shared with the city
- Surface: 2,400 m² interior, 2,330 m² exterior
- Budget: €10 million
- Sustainability: Geo- and bio-sourced materials, RE2020, BEPOS, E4C1
- Completion: 2025
- Project Team: Warren Lepolard, Ersi Hoxha, Philippe Souaid
Discover more of the project in oru gallery:
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