School complexSimone Veil | Le Penhuel & associés architectes

Gaëtan Le Penhuel Architectes & Associés has completed the Simone Veil schoolgroup in Tremblay-en-France (France). This facility embodies the firm’s approach tosustainably transforming educational spaces in response to the climate emergency. Thisinnovative project, which avoids standardization and reinterprets the concept of the “schoolhouse,” won the Équerre d’argent 2025 Prize this November.

Located in a peaceful zone of detached homes on the south side of the municipality, the Simone Veilschool group possesses eight classrooms, a multipurpose room, a school restaurant, an administrationarea, and a flat for the guardian. On its roof, a playing field is shared with neighborhood associations.

The city's proposal aimed to replace the traditional 'leisure centre' concept, which welcomed childrenoutside school hours, with expanded classes and common areas. Consequently, all school areas are nowshared between pupils and preschoolers. The goal was to maintain the same floor area while creating amore spacious, comfortable, and modular facility.

INHABITING COMMON AREAS

The school’s lobby occupies the heart of the institution. Oriented north-south, it serves the entireestablishment up to the playground. More than a simple public area, it was designed as a genuine livingspace conducive to all forms of learning and exchange. Three alcoves, with varied organisation, increasepossibilities of appropriation and encourage and enable diversified methods of learning.

The classrooms' street crosses through the entirefacility from east to west, forming another axisstructuring the school. Split in two by the interiorplay area, each part of the axis is embellishedwith four classrooms and patios. There is avestibule/cloakroom at each classroom entranceand stands for games, which can be used forpedagogical or playful purposes.At the intersection of the two axes that structurethe school, a large interior play area serves asthe genuine central area of the establishment,increasing the number of possible uses. Thismulti-purpose space can be used in the morningand evening to welcome preschoolers, in additionto the multi-purpose rooms and motricity rooms.In case of heavy rain, it complements the exteriorplayground but also hosts exhibitions and shows.

MULTI-PURPOSE CLASSROOMS

The dual-aspect classrooms benefit from multiple sources of natural light and very good ventilation. Theirpositioning between patios to the north and the school playground to the south ensures differentambiances in the same classroom. To the north, with light pouring in from the patio, a shared space builtof wood between two classes creates a peaceful and calm area. To the south, the largest volume of theclasses directly overlooking the playground is more collective. Each classroom also benefits from a'private' play area overlooking the 'common' playground.

This shaded area improves flows between the interior and exterior, becoming a real extension of theclassrooms. The playground, situated to the south and shaded by a line of trees, is shared betweenkindergarten and elementary classes. A genuine green setting, it is an ideal framework for the discovery ofnature and outdoor games. A space dedicated to biodiversity, laid out on the roof, completes the exteriorspaces made available. It includes tubs for growing vegetables and large picnic tables, favoring teachingactivities related to the natural world. Finally, the playing field will also be accessible during recreationtimes, thus encouraging the practice of physical activities.

RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

By definition, a school building must make itscommitment to the environment visible. Thisprinciple has been applied to the project in boththe choice of materials and the functioning of thebuilding. The school's load-bearing stone façadescome from the Bonneuil-en-Valois quarry, locatedless than 60km from the construction site. Itsthickness ensures the building's thermal inertiawhile enhancing the value of the facility'ssculpted volumes. Between the classrooms, mudbricks are added to the wooden structure,increasing the visibility of natural and bio-sourcedmaterials in the building's construction.The patios embellish and punctuate the commonareas to the extent that all the spaces of theproject benefit from very good natural lighting,fresh air, and comfortable humidity. Theirplacement naturally ventilates all the areasdesigned for children, as well as the commonareas, which can then become genuine inhabitedplaces and learning areas. The roof of thesporting area is equipped with photovoltaicpanels producing more energy than the buildingconsumes. The rest of the roof is planted, whichimproves thermal performance and totalrainwater retention, while also providinginhabitants of the neighborhood with attractiveviews.

Architects: Le Penhuel & Associés (Mandataire),Nebbia (Landscape architect), Emenda (sustainability /Environmental Engineering Consultant - HQE), Batiserf(Structural Engineering Consultant), BMF (CostConsultant), Ergo Zen (Ergonomist), Impédance (AcousticEngineering Consultant), ATEC (Cuisiniste)

Photography: Vladimir de Mollerat du Jeu