Zero Energy school in Saint-Ouen

Mikou Design Studio has recently completed a zero-energy school in Saint Ouen.

Located in a strategic urban location, in the middle of an urban complex composed mainly of high-rise office blocks and housing, the Docks school in Saint Ouen is designed to consume zero energy and to provide a strong architectural landmark for its neighbourhood.

The scheme is in the form of a mass built in stepped tiers on the east, on the main street, which is extended by large canopies and which folds in crosswise strips on the site’s diagonal to face southwards. These stepped crosswise strips are separated by internal gardens which open wide east-west transparent views into the school while allowing clear identification of the various teaching areas open to the light and to the peace and quiet on sheltered internal patios. The school is arranged in a succession of gardens and volumes in brightly-lit terraces which gradually descend to free the view and to let in maximum sunshine. All the classrooms are south-facing orientated in order to make the greatest possible use of passive solar energy.  This also allows photovoltaics panels to be integrated into the large canopy which covers the playground areas.