Apprentice School in Brétigny-sur-Orge

The new apprentice school is dedicated to the learning of construction jobs (masonry, woodworking, steelworking, electricity, painting…) We wanted the Apprentice School to be a prime reason for the students. archi5 designed it as a rational, human and generous building.

Photography by © Sergio Grazia

It is conceived as a small scale campus. Connected to public space through a large parvis, it’s a welcoming and reassuring public facility. The facades evoke the knowledge about building jobs taught inside the school. The courtyard is the heart of the school, though as an Agora. It’s a metaphor of a cloister with its central garden surrounded by a covered path. This walkway is animated by the reflects on inox cladding and leads to two larges sheltered spaces. The Agora as a central point allows a simple use of the school, an easy identification of different spaces and optimized movements for teachers and students to their classes and workshops. Each main area of the school is designated by its own color.

Photography by © Sergio Grazia

Architectural choices are made to mix use comfort, raw and robust materials and economic building conception. This school is here to create foundations for the apprentices’ future careers. The school shows in its form the knowledge taught inside. It’s symbolic of its function and offers comfortable spaces, both for living and learning.

Photography by © Sergio Grazia

Project Info:
Architects: archi5
Location: Brétigny–Sur-Orge, France
Area: 8171.0 m2
Project Year: 2016
Photographs: Sergio Grazia
Manufacturers: Gerflor, ARVAL
Client: BTP-CFA Île de France
Project Name: Apprentice School