EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
The town hall of Prades-le-Lez aimed to open an early childhood center within the municipality, located near the school and the town center. This center is a free space for reception, information, and support for childminders, parents, and children. It includes a central activity room with a bottle preparation area and a small kitchen, as well as administrative, reception, and waiting areas. The activity room opens onto a small inner courtyard, shielded from outside views and noise by a neighboring building and a wooden fence.
The building's dual-material envelope reflects its relationship with the exterior: on the street side, the façade is made of white bricks, some of which are arranged in a moucharabieh pattern to allow light in while protecting the windows. The courtyard-facing façade is largely glazed and clad with openwork wooden siding. This wooden cladding is also used at the recessed entrance on the street side, marking and enhancing the entryway.
The early childhood center building aims to be exemplary in terms of environmental performance. It is constructed with double timber-framed walls and bricks, insulated with wood wool. The roof is made of boxes insulated with Camargue rice husks, covered with steel trays that can support solar panels. The building is cooled using natural ventilation combined with ceiling fans, and it is heated by an air-to-water heat pump connected to radiant panels. The courtyard and the southern windows are protected by stretched fabric shades.
