School canteen in Pontault-Combault | Atelier 208

Atelier 208 is proud to present its latest creation, Pajot's school canteen, located in the town of Pontault-Combault (France). Atelier 208, which exists since 2008, has for its first new construction worked using a multitude of aspirations, between recreation and education, work and rest. The project is based on reorganizing the school complex with the construction of a new canteen and the redefinition of the exterior spaces, it offers a playful environment and two attractive dining rooms for the pupils. The demolition of the existing canteen allowed the repositioning of the new building through a spatial configuration focused on learning. It uses natural lighting, liberates the playground and introduces a kitchen garden, optimizes the circulations of the pupils and is committed to environmental and durability objectives. This building is the expression of its structure and function. From a steel and concrete frame, the envelope speaks through the children's language and plays a major role in the way children perceive the place. The origami-like roof folds and unfolds in order to let light penetrate at the heart of the two dining rooms, thus giving them various ambiences throughout the day. The origami-inspired roof was conceived to bring a dynamic to the project. Origami emphasizes imagination, creativity and a certain ingenuity. The shape of the roof plays a major role in the way children perceive the building. The exterior synthetic grass coating on the façades occasionally extends on the ground and enhances the children's creativity. Considering the children's perception of the building, the façades reveal large views onto the kitchen garden and the playground from all sides.