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Lausanne, Switzerland
Velodrome College
| Client | Ville de Lausanne |
| Competition | 2024 (1er Rang 1er Prix) |
| Architecture | Itten+Brechbühl SA |
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The new college will be located at the heart of the Plaines du Loup district, close to the Parc du Vélodrome, making it a central feature of this developing area. The project aims to blend harmoniously into the existing environment, thanks to a balanced and compact architectural response, while creating links with the surrounding public spaces and residential buildings. The school occupies the centre of the plot, with a radiating massing and a connection to the surrounding roads, opening to its surroundings and engaging with all the neighbouring areas.
A true school in the clearing, the building is characterised and distinguished by its ‘piano nobile’ on the first floor, serving as a meeting place, a place for exchange and learning. The whole is perfectly integrated into the existing network of landscaped promenades. The layout favours soft connections with the environment, natural lighting, and open spaces to encourage comfort and inclusion. The classrooms are organised around the central atrium on the second floor, in a windmill layout, maximising natural light and offering views of the outside. Informal workspaces and break-out areas punctuate the flow through the floors. A belvedere overlooking the lake and the wider landscape is located on the first floor, with various public spaces taking advantage of the view of the lake, forming an ensemble that emphasises social cohesion. Play areas, benches and relaxation spaces are arranged to encourage social interaction and planted with a mixture of existing specimens and new native plantings. These are complemented by a rain garden, which acts as a cool island. The network of paths creates a woodland atmosphere, encouraging shared use by pupils and residents alike, as well as by wildlife. The design of this building is based on a comprehensive understanding of the issues of resilience and sustainable development: it emphasises the use of sustainable and bio-sourced materials, which contribute to the regional economy, and relies on energy-saving heating systems and natural ventilation.
In this way, the Vélodrome College combines resilience, architectural innovation, respect for the environment and the creation of social links, while meeting today's energy challenges.
Visualisations : Imagine We Create
