Groupe Scolaire Rosa Bonheur
With the new school complex for the Groupe Scolaire Rosa Bonheur in Aucamville, France, the city wants to set an example in the field of sustainable development. A conscious decision was therefore made to use local materials ‘topped off’ with a curved zinc standing seam roof from NedZink NEO.
“The fundamentals of the project called for an ecological approach to construction,” says architect Meriem Bekkoucha of 360° Architecture from Toulouse. Indeed, the project was awarded the so-called OR level label according to the Bâtiment Durable Occitanie approach, a strategy for the energy and environmental transition of the Occitania region. Aucamville is located in this region and
lies on the outskirts of Toulouse. “Within that approach, sustainable construction is promoted through the use of low-carbon materials. On the other hand, it also pays attention to cost through low-tech design based on craft”
Vaulted volumes
The floor plan includes a large and common building, situated in a ring around the playgrounds. “In this way, it forms a shield from outside view, from the noise of the nearby highway and also keeps the schoolchildren out of the wind,” explains Thomas Leblanc, architect at 360° Architecture. “Opposite this massive ensemble are the vaulted volumes that house each classroom. Think of it as little houses strung together, adapted to the scale of the child and forming a protective cocoon, so to speak, under a sustainable and artisanal shell of NedZink NEO.“
Local resources
To minimise the ecological footprint of the construction, locally sourced materials were chosen: wood from the Tarn and Pyrenees, typical Toulouse bricks produced in the region by artisanal methods. “The fences are made of solid wood, with no other treatment than sawing,” says Meriem. “The partition walls are finished in raw clay to raise awareness among site users about the challenges of sustainable development and the proper use of local resources.“
Craft
When designing the curved roofs, zinc was an obvious choice, according to the architects. “The geometry of the roofs required a product that could be curved and whose installation allowed for a 0% slope at the top of the vaults,” Thomas says. The choice of zinc was also a craftsman’s consideration. “It allowed us to work with roofing companies that value traditional craftsmanship. After all, processing zinc requires specific skills, from design to installation”
The end result is very successful and in line with our expectations, the architects say in chorus. “NedZink NEO gives a homogeneous appearance to the project’s roofs. Thanks to the quality and craftsmanship of roofing company Couffignal, there are no surface defects. The matte, mineral grey patina of NedZink NEO blends harmoniously with the wood and terracotta brick of the
facades.“
