Marguerite de navarre high school project

Introduction: This project involves reorganising and extending « Marguerite de Navarre » High School located at 1 cours Bosquet in Pau (South West France).

The work includes refurbishing the 19th century building; updating the kitchen and canteen to bring them in line with current health and safety standards; renovating the historic classrooms; demolishing a redundant building and constructing a new 3000 sq m extension to house administration, welfare offices, a multi purpose hall and art rooms.

This is a complex project as demolition, construction and renovation works are programmed over a 36 month period whilst the school is still in use.

Giving the school a clear identity within the city: Originally the school playground, a large tarmac area with open views from the street, gave a sense of void in total contrast to the urban continuum of the city around it.

To give the school a strong identity as a main public building within the city, it