Polyvalent High School

The construction of the Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni polyvalent high school is part of the redevelopment of its neighborhood, Balate Nord, whose environmental objectives are high. And for good reason, the natural heritage is exceptionally rich.

The first objective was to reflect the powerful link that the site and its inhabitants have with nature. We wanted to provide students from a wide range of backgrounds, languages and cultures with a green setting, while building a major public institution, an urban landmark in the district and a symbol of knowledge and culture for all. The school is located on the main square. The link with nature is expressed by a luxuriant garden that crosses the site and along which the buildings are organised, linked by footbridges. Water, which is ubiquitous in Saint Laurent du Maroni, meanders along the length of the garden, guiding visitors towards knowledge and the lycée, and providing a little coolness during the hottest part of the day. The garden continues onto the forecourt, a place where students from different backgrounds can meet and exchange ideas.

The three buildings, built like three ships moored to their home port, symbolically project out into the public space, opening up beautiful views both inside and outside the school. The auditorium and the CDI, located at the bow of the forecourt, are important vectors of image in this up-and-coming district.

The second objective was to enhance the value of professionnal education by locating it at the heart of the school to encourage exchanges and mutual enrichment between disciplines and with general education. The spatial and functional organisation of the buildings reflects this aim. Professionnal education is organised into a coherent centre on the ground floor of the building, at the heart of the school.

Constructed from a mix of wood and concrete, the building is based on the principle of bioclimatic architecture, using natural ventilation.