Marcel Sembat High School,
design: archi5
Thehigh school named after Marcel Sembat, a French socialist activist and minister of public works,was modernized and expanded in Sotteville-lès-Rouen, Normandy. The school was located in an industrial suburb of Rouen, which has suffered from economic change. The high school specializes in technical education, focusing on vehicle mechanics, requiring spacious interiors and high ceilings. With the scale of the project and the unique context of the site in mind, archi5 created a space that seamlessly blends modern solutions with natural character, adapting to the expectations of its users.
Marcel Sembat High School in Sotteville-lès-Rouen, Normandy - view of the building's roof.
Photo by Sergio Grazia © archi5
new educational space
- workshop on the park boundary
The architects were tasked with modernizing and expanding the school complex, which consists of six buildings dating from different periods, from the 1930s to the 1990s. The main element of the project became the workshop building, located opposite the existing complex. This part of the high school was located on the border of the park and designed for technical teaching related to automotive and vehicle mechanics.
The Marcel Sembat High School in Sotteville-lès-Rouen, Normandy - a bird's-eye view of the green-roofed building
Photo: Thomas Jorion © archi5
The shape of the building is a response to function, referring to the form of the bodies of old cars. The body of the building consists of seven "wings", the height of which is highest in the northern part and gradually decreases towards the south. Small courtyards have been designed between some of them, bringing spaciousness and natural light into the interior.
Marcel Sembat High School in Sotteville-lès-Rouen, Normandy - longitudinal section
© archi5
The entire building is covered with a corrugated roof, overgrown with vegetation. The gentle lines and slope of the roof flow seamlessly into the ground level on the south side. The north elevation has been kept more industrial in character, using glass and polycarbonate as the dominant materials.
Marcel Sembat High School in Sotteville-lès-Rouen, Normandy - view of the north elevation
Photo: Thomas Jorion © archi5
Steel as a key construction material
- flexibility, durability and modernity
The building required large spaces, high ceilings and extensive usable areas. To meet these requirements, it opted for steel as the main construction material, which provides both great formal and functional flexibility. The metal, which in the past was associated with the industrial revolution period, is now gaining prominence in modern architecture. Steel components can be precisely manufactured on site, reducing the risk of errors. These properties have made steel an ideal solution for creating open spaces, flowing forms and a sense of permanence, which fits perfectly with the functional nature of the designed school.
Marcel Sembat High School in Sotteville-lès-Rouen, Normandy - view of the workshops
Photo: Thomas Jorion © archi5
Spatial cohesion between the two parts of the campus, located on opposite sides of the street, was ensured by designing a new plaza that will become the school's focal point. This space, located on the east side, will be adjacent to the planned library. The function of the plaza will include a space for meetings, walking, and relaxation, and will also serve as the main traffic route leading to the high school.
Marcel Sembat High School in Sotteville-lès-Rouen, Normandy - the building's green roof harmoniously blends with its surroundings
Photo: Thomas Jorion © archi5
The project to modernize the Marcel Sembat High School is based on a detailed analysis of the context, taking into account the location, functional program, and social and cultural challenges. This approach is reflected in the concept presented by the archi5 studio, which responds to the specific needs of both users and the environment.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of archi5 studio.
