ÉCOLE DU ZÉNITH
In a vast and open landscape, Shefford’s new elementary school sits as a new horizon line, ondulated by the play of the school’s various volumes and rooflines. The school’s continuous base echoes the flatness of the site and allows the building to blend into the landscape without blocking views. Located at the edge of a small forest, the school’s relationships to the landscape varies depending on the perspective. One side offers direct views on the dense planted pine forest, while the other opens up onto vast fields and the mountain beyond. Laid out on one single level, the architecture is easily accessible to all, keeping users in constant contact with nature.
Each pavilion welcomes a different age group. The assemblage of pavilions in a sequential cluster suggests a double reading of the ensemble. On the one hand, it allows for the individual expression of each part of the building. On the other hand, it creates a shared collective sense of belonging. This way, each student can identify their “house” in relation to the whole, while understanding their academic progression expressed through the layout of the school.
