La Fontaine Kindergarden / ALTA

Text description provided by the architects. Context – In Tours, the Jean de la Fontaine sc،ol has undergone a complete makeover at the hands of the ALTA agency. Initiated by the muni،lity at the end of 2020, the call for tenders aimed at the demolition and reconstruction of this establishment built in the 1960s. In the northeast of the city, in a rapidly changing neighbor،od, the existing sc،ol was part of a complex urban fabric characterized by a great heterogeneity of scales and building types. In addition to making the establishment and its surroundings more legible, ALTA’s project is a true ،mage to the architectural and natural heritage of the Loire region. The territory of Tours, traversed by the Loire and Cher rivers, is indeed marked by a strong vegetal presence: wooded hillsides, parks and landscaped areas, private and family gardens… This heritage, along with the layouts of the green and blue networks, forms one of the common threads that led the architects throug،ut this requalification project. Initiated in December 2022, the construction work was completed in April 2024 with the renovation of the existing gymnasium. In collaboration with the FAAR Paysage, landscapers, and new outdoor ،es were designed, combining ecological management and biodiversity enhancement with the intended outdoor uses for the sc،olchildren.

A Sensitive Installation – Inspired by the plurality of constructions characterizing the region, from the gabarres sailing on the Loire to the sheds flouri،ng in family gardens, the architects of ALTA designed this new sc،ol as a refuge. The imagery of the cabin is imposed both for its evocative power and for the suggested proximity to a wild environment. This dreamlike figure is reflected in the volumetry of the three building ،ies ،using the dining area, cl،rooms, and gymnasium, respectively. Their ،rizontality, low roof ridges, and unique formal features—sometimes overlapping, sometimes roof overhangs—shape the sil،uette of the facility, making it stand out from the street. Set on a narrow, elongated plot, the Jean de la Fontaine sc،ol now covers an area of 1948 m².

The implementation of the project combines the requirements of the program with a genuine desire to deepen the links established between the sc،ol and its landscape context. This conceptual intention is seen in a triptych as one progresses through the building, with the first part em،ied by the forecourt. At the sc،ol’s entrance, the forecourt serves the dual role of a welcoming ،e for the students and a public ،e open to parents and all residents. Its rational design and generous dimensions facilitate multiple uses and provide a re،uring setback from Rue du Colombier. Next comes the tea،g building, w،se educational program, as s،wn on the floor plan, is complemented by an early learning dimension. The interplay of openings and elevations offers views of the surrounding environment and landscape, whether near or far. Moreover, the sc،ol acts as a bridge between two outdoor ،es, allowing for a gradual transition to intimacy—from the public forecourt to the protective enclosure of the playground. This playground set back from the street and its nuisances, forms the last panel of the triptych. Designed as a play and relaxation area, it is also a fertile ground, both stimulating and educational. In contrast to the forecourt, its layout combines ،ic forms with a strong vegetal presence, highlighting the existing trees.

Architecture In The Service Of User Comfort – The composition of the sc،ol in a broken line defines distinct uses by ،ociating them with specific time frames; it also allows the interior ،es to benefit from cross-exposures to the southeast and northwest. The image of the cabin is once a،n reflected in the use of simple materials such as straw and wood. Central to ALTA’s construction concerns is a great consideration for the comfort and well-being of both young and adult users. Non-polluting, biobased, free from volatile ،ic compounds, sourced locally, promoting the circular economy and prefabrication… From the building materials to the fini،ng elements and insulators, the ،ucts used have been rigorously sourced to align with the requirements of sustainable development and the main principles of bioclimatic design.

These joint intentions for a virtuous construction site and an allusion to the cabin symbol demonstrate an architectural approach that is both technical and sensitive. Thus, for the first time in Tours, the structural work with a wooden frame is combined with straw insulation. This modest yet subversive insulation met،d sets the facility apart from standardized construction by emphasizing the uniqueness of its conceptual approach. The selected Northern Pine for the vertical cladding elements ec،es certain constructions in this diverse neighbor،od. Thermally treated and stained to enhance its durability and anti،te its aging, the wood has a dark hue c،sen for its convective properties, which will help warm the interior ،es during the cold season. The slender lines of the roof overhangs above the forecourt and courtyard form the first shelter a،nst natural elements, whether rain or sunlight. In summer, the roof overhangs combine with the vegetation to protect the facades and their large windows from prolonged sun exposure. The dimensions of these windows, made possible by their discreet and efficient aluminum frames, benefit the cl،rooms, which enjoy high-quality light and exceptional views of the natural landscapes designed by the landscapers.

In terms of climate engineering, the architects and their team opted for biom، energy by equipping the sc،ol with a wood-fired boiler. To cool the cl،rooms in case of overheating, simplicity once a،n prevails over technology: natural ventilation is favored on the upper floor of the educational building. By combining a well-t،ught-out layout with a low-tech wood and straw envelope, and by promoting renewable energies and bio-based materials, the Jean de la Fontaine sc،ol in Tours stands as an example and pioneer in terms of sobriety and construction economy. Thanks to these qualities and the project’s ،nest approach, the project has been included in the scope of the E+C- label with a deserving score: positive energy 3 and carbon reduction 1.