Le Vau Pavilion / L'Atelier Senzu

Architects: L’Atelier Senzu
Area: 100 m²
Year: 2023
Photographs: Stijn Bollaert
Manufacturers: RHEINZINK, Wienerberger, ACOVA, Pine Plywood
Structure Consultant: Sylva Conseil
Sustainability Consultants: WOR Ingenierie
Products used in this Project: Panel Surface Finish – prePATINA ECO ZINC
L’atelier Senzu: David Dottelonde, Wandrille Marchais, Malo Recoursé, Gabriel Chatel, Capucine Gueguen, Cecile Da Silva
Program / Use / Building Function: Mixed-use pavilion / classroom
City: Paris
Country: France

The Le Vau Educational Pavilion, designed by L’Atelier Senzu and located in Paris, exemplifies the integration of sustainable architecture with community engagement. Constructed from eco-friendly materials like wood and rammed earth, the pavilion addresses educational and environmental challenges while fostering a strong community bond. Its innovative circular design promotes inclusivity and collaboration, setting a precedent in educational architecture for future sustainability-focused projects.

The Le Vau Educational Pavilion, situated within a school complex in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, is an exemplary project at the juncture of sustainable architecture and community engagement. Crafted from wood and rammed earth, the pavilion was developed in response to three pivotal challenges: integrating architecture that accommodates both reception and pedagogy, strengthening the connection between the school and its neighborhood, and advancing the decarbonization of construction practices.

This initiative was realized through the combined efforts of the OASIS program, the participatory budget of the City of Paris, and insights from the Le Vau school’s teaching team. Addressing the challenge of parental engagement, the pavilion is designed to transform perceptions and cultivate a welcoming environment.

The OASIS program, which aims to green schoolyards to mitigate urban heat, significantly influenced this project. It transformed unused spaces into dynamic areas with vegetable gardens, orchards, and picnic zones. This transformation inspired the creation of a distinctive educational space within the school courtyard.

The architects at L’Atelier Senzu adopted a holistic approach to this project, focusing on accommodating dual functionalities within the architecture, fostering connections with the surrounding community, and prioritizing sustainable construction methods.

The design features a circular room, moving away from traditional rectangular educational structures, which supports diverse, collaborative, and inclusive interactions. The facade, inspired by carousels and cabins, embodies an inclusive architectural philosophy, treating all facades with equal importance.

Rammed earth was chosen as the primary material for its structural integrity, thermal properties, and aesthetic appeal. This project stands as Paris’s first load-bearing rammed earth building, utilizing geosourced, biosourced, and decarbonized materials.

The pavilion, with its distinctive round shape and aesthetically pleasing design, serves as a bridge between the street and the school and as a sanctuary for students and parents. It inspires educators and makes a significant contribution to environmental sustainability, impacting climate goals for future generations.