NBJ architectes, refurbishing a vocational high school in France

NBJ architectes has renovated and extended the Honoré de Balzac High School in Castelnau-le-Lez, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, turning it into a real school ecosystem with light, colourful shapes where the design focuses on nature.



A design that incorporates nature as an extension and completion of school activities is an important issue for all schools, but even more so if we're talking about a vocational high school for agricultural studies, where plants and their care are part of the learning programme.





The architects from NBJ architectes, award-winning French firm and founders of the Festival Architectures Vives, , came up with their idea for restructuring and extending the existing school by putting the greenhouses - places of excellence of the school and of its mission - at the centre.





Then they planned the rest of the project around these and, while stressing the engagement with the environment, the design actually aims to be a real ecosystem: the thick, Mediterranean plant growth between the buildings serves as both a “testing ground” and a natural filter of sunlight. These green options in the real sense of the word are then joined by the tall, colourful fin shades wrapping the facades to give a bright alternation of solids and voids.





NBJ architectes also restyled the main entrance into the school - a real colourful timber portal that welcomes students and becomes a landmark, gently blending into the urban settings. The Honoré de Balzac high school in Castelnau-le-Lez is not an enclosed garden - “hortus conclusus” - it's a place that oozes sharing and engagement.

Christiane Bürklein

Location: Castelnau le Lez (34) France
Client : Région Languedoc Roussillon / Lr Aménagement
Architects : Elodie NOURRIGAT/Jacques BRION/Romain JAMOT– NBJ Architectes
Landscape designer : Plus2 Paysage
Year: June 2015
Photo credits: Paul KOZLOWSKI ©photoarchitecture.com
Thanks to v2com