Architects: Urbane Kultur
Year: 2019
Area: 1216 m²
Photographs: Jean Baptiste Dorner
Contemporary Simplicity in Bischoffsheim, France
Architectural Essence
Situated in Bischoffsheim, France, the Ecole des Menuisiers School Gymnasium stands as an exemplary fusion of simplicity, sobriety, and contemporary design. Crafted by Urbane Kultur and completed in 2019, the architectural marvel spans 1216 m², showcasing a marriage of form and function. Through the lens of photographer Jean Baptiste Dorner, the gymnasium unfolds, revealing an aesthetic blend of elementary volumes seamlessly integrated into the site’s overall composition.
Anchoring Elegance: The Building’s Foundation
Structural Framework
The architectural narrative commences with a sturdy and elegant foundation—a low base constructed from a dual concrete wall. This base meticulously incorporates changing rooms, storage spaces, and technical rooms. The intentional setback of the sports hall’s volume on all four sides minimizes its visual impact. The northern and southern facades extend the base into an encompassing awning, offering shelter for bikes at the association’s entrance and providing a waiting area for pupils gearing up for their sports class on the court side.
Transparency and Connection: The Architectural Dance
Inside-Out Sensibility
Urbane Kultur orchestrates a delicate dance of transparency and connection, fostering a seamless interaction between the interior and exterior. Glazed sections adorn the lower parts of the northern and southern gables, creating a visual dialogue. The skylight’s voluminous presence introduces natural light, allowing glimpses of the sky on the eastern and western sides. A practical touch, the southern awning and motorized blinds ensure solar protection, mitigating glare and enhancing the overall user experience.
Structural Harmony: A Symphony in Wood
Material Selection and Form
The structural coherence of the Ecole des Menuisiers Gymnasium aligns with its overarching concept. The concrete base, resilient against ball games, harmoniously blends with the laminated wood structure of the emerging volume. Wooden-frame walls constitute the gables, and the sports hall’s internal structure consists of identical wood frames strategically spaced for optimized load distribution. This meticulous design approach minimizes the building’s impact within the confines of a dense and constrained site while defining the spatial experience within.
Environmental Stewardship: A Green Design Approach
Sustainable Specifications
Urbane Kultur’s commitment to environmental responsibility is evident in every facet of the Ecole des Menuisiers Gymnasium. The building incorporates a wood structure for gables, cellulose wadding insulation, larch cladding for exterior protection, exposed glue-laminated framework in the sports hall, and aluminum-wood frames for glazed walls. The roofing integrates thermal insulation and a TPO membrane, while triple glazing, wooden joineries, double-flow CMV, and rainwater infiltration further underscore the project’s sustainable ethos.
In the heart of Bischoffsheim, the Ecole des Menuisiers School Gymnasium is more than a sports facility; it is a testament to architectural finesse and environmental consciousness. Urbane Kultur’s meticulous design approach, captured by Jean Baptiste Dorner’s lens, unfolds a narrative where simplicity meets functionality, creating a space that seamlessly integrates into its surroundings while embracing sustainable practices.
