The project is situated in the heart of Frédéric Joliot Curie High School, located in the town of Dammarie-les-Lys, at the confluence of the Seine and Marne rivers. Built in 1965, the school spans nearly 5 hectares and comprises six buildings with a total constructed area of about 10,000 square meters.
The project involves rebuilding the central building within the school’s scenic environment. To the north lies the faculty parking lot, the south borders a forest, and on the east and west are two teaching buildings. A covered corridor runs along the exterior path between the current buffet restaurant and neighboring buildings. On the south facade, sunshades provide shelter for students waiting to eat, while the roof faces the forest. The ground level allows natural light to brighten the technical room located on the garden level. Food deliveries are made via a platform on the north facade, adjacent to the staff parking area.
The building features two levels: the ground floor and the garden floor. The ground floor serves as a semi-cafeteria space, housing the food preparation area, dining room, dishwashing section, refrigeration and storage rooms, as well as a student lobby and delivery area.
The garden level is divided into two sections: one is accessible directly to the public from outside, containing rooms for the school life center such as the student club, gym, and music room. The other section is reserved for faculty and staff, including archive rooms, furniture storage, changing rooms, the principal’s office, and staff studios.
This project emphasizes the extension of the high roof towards the north and south, enhancing the building’s visual appeal. From this elevated roof, diners can enjoy views of the surrounding forest. In addition to the north and south elevations, a horizontal “wing tower” extends east and west, with the main entrance located on the west side, leading to the garden’s lower level.
The design presents a straightforward form made up of two main components: a low base constructed of grey corrugated metal panels that separates the building from the ground, serving as a foundation and organizing the facade into a series of openings that reveal the interior spaces.
The upper volume is clad in perforated aluminum panels, resembling a hat placed atop the lower section. This upper “hat” envelops the dining area, allowing natural light to filter through while creating a cantilevered canopy that marks the entrance and provides shelter for students lining up, protecting them from wind and rain. All technical roof elements are discreetly integrated within this structure.
Project Drawings
△ Base schematic diagram
△ Hand-drawn sketch
△ General layout plan
△ First floor restaurant plan
△ Second floor restaurant plan
△ Elevation drawing
△ Section drawing
△ Exploded axonometric diagram
△ Analysis diagram
△ Analysis diagram
Project Information
Architect: Ateliers O-S Architects
Area: 3,099 m²
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Cyrille Weiner
Lead Architects: Vincent Baur, Guillaume Colboc, Gaël Le Nouëne
Design Team: Jonathan Nuttin
On-site Team: Agathe Mesure Madeline
Kitchen Designer: NOVOREST
Piping, Ventilation & Heating: UTB
Mechanical and Electrical Design: SALMON
Kitchen Design: FROID 77
Structural Engineer: I+A
Fluid Engineer: YAC
Location: Dammarie-les-Lys, France
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