Jean Moulin High School

The Cite Scolaire Jean Moulin was built at the dawn of the 60s in an orthogonal configuration of three levels, in line with the Modern style, in the era of the rationalism. Half a century later time has taken its toll and the aging of both building and equipment has made its reconstruction necessary.

  The project is based on a strong and shared concern for the rebuilding of the relationship between the built and the natural environment. The building had to develop a relationship with the landscape, one that would help merge them together. The main feature of the project is a green roof that helps to make a smooth transition between the built and natural environments, combining tall trees, bushes and “rock chaos”. The entire new high school offers an architecture that is both radically innovative in its reconciliation with nature, whilst also being in tune with the spirit of an age that is conscious of energy issues.

From the Esplanade the entrance opens into a large foyer. The new school closely follows the topography of the land, it literally sticks to the bedrock which it occupies, from the crest of the plateau all the way to the residential area that separates it from the river. The educational elements of the programme are distributed across two long, low buildings (referred to as strips). These buildings are arranged in terraces that provide all the classrooms wide panoramic views to the south west. The two rows are well spaced and strips of roofing swell into folds, with vertical and oblique windows to provide good overhead lighting.

The “Agora”, as it is called, adheres to the slope and winds down to its lowest point in a series of ramps, discreetly echoing the curves of the river. From these ramps you gain access to classrooms and workshops, through wide corridors that are also open to the air, and can be used for evacuation in case of emergency.

Jean Moulin High School, Revin, France
Program: school
Architect: Duncan Lewis – Scape Architecture (principal); J De Giacinto – Off Architecture (Manal Rachdi + Tanguy Vermet), (associate)
Engineer Consultant: Egis Bâtiment Grand Est
Wood Engineer: Barthes Bois
Environment Engineer: Elioth (groupe Egis)
Acoustic Engineer: Echologos Acoustique
Landscape Architect: Base Paysage
Project Management Assistance: Asciste Ingénierie
Building Surveyor: Veritas
Health and Safety Coordinator: Qualiconsult
Planning Management: Plannibat
Area: 18,005 sqm
Completion: 2016