Collège Jean-Monnet, Broons (FR)
New building
Client: Département des Côtes d’Armor
Location: F-22250 Broons
Architecture: Dietrich Untertrifaller with Colas Durand
Competition: 2012, 1. prize
Construction: 2013 – 2015
Area: 5,500 m²
Programme: All-day school for 600 pupils, 16 classrooms and 9 special classes, canteen, library, administration
Photos: Frédéric Baron
Team
Todor Atanasov, Ulrike Bale-Gabriel (Project management), Catharina Maul, Maria Megina, Christian Porath, Jana Sack
Text: Gerlinde Jüttner
Partners
Statics: Espace Ingenierie, St. Brieuc
Timber construction: QSB Ingénerie, Lannion
Building services: Armor Ingenierie, Langueux
Sustainability: Act Environnement, Loos en Gohelle
Acoustics: Acoustibel, Chavagne
Master builder: Scobat, Trégueux
Awards
- Prix Architecture Bretagne, Award
Wood, exposed concrete, fresh red and lots of glass
The all-day school north of the 3,000-strong community of Broons in Brittany is one of the most important educational institutions in the region. 570 children aged between 11 and 14 from 29 municipalities attend the school. The three-storey school wing stretches across the entire width of the site and is bordered to the west by the single-storey canteen, whose flat green roof merges gently into the lawned landscape.
Together with the outer wall, the school wing and canteen enclose the schoolyard. The entrance, protected from the weather, is located on the narrow street side. The two-storey timber construction of the classroom wing rests on a concrete base, which houses the event rooms, library and administration. A promenade running parallel to the street forms a pleasant and safe footpath from the town centre to the school outside.
The connecting Atrium
The three-storey atrium forms the centre of the building. Spanning numerous bridges and staircases, it creates horizontal connecting routes on each level with views across the floors, ensuring clarity and orientation. The bridges with solid wood balustrades and transparent metal railings form a guidance and orientation system.
Everyone has a clear view here
The 16 classrooms and 9 specialised classes on the two upper floors receive daylight from at least two sides. The classes open to the south via large, horizontally divided windows. The atmosphere in the classrooms is characterised by the extremely generous supply of natural light and attractive views. Event rooms, library and administration are located on the ground floor.
Light wood, robust exposed concrete, fresh red and lots of glass characterize the interiors. Although all surfaces are robust, durable and easy to maintain, the high proportion of wood defines the warm and friendly character of the school. The compact building shape, high-quality insulation and natural lighting enable the best energy values and passive standard.
Two-storey greenhouses - open to the access zone and visible from the classes via horizontal ribbon windows - bring greenery into the building.
