Modern building with glass windows and staircase next to a spherical structure, surrounded by trees and a sports field.

A modern building with large glass windows and a visible staircase, adjacent to a large spherical structure, surrounded by greenery and a sports field.

A modern building facade with light blue panels and large windows, featuring a prominent diagonal white structure in the foreground.
A bright and spacious interior room with light wood paneling, large windows, and children's play furniture.
Interior view of a modern sports hall with large windows and exposed beams.
A scale model of a building complex featuring a multi-story structure with a flat roof and a cylindrical element on one side. The model includes surrounding trees and a spherical structure on stilts, suggesting a park-like setting.
A scale model of a modern architectural building with a flat roof, surrounded by trees and adjacent structures. The model features a distinct layered design with a cubic form and is set against a dark background.
A white architectural model depicting a school building with a flat roof and multiple levels, surrounded by trees and a spherical structure on stilts.
A detailed architectural model of a building with a flat roof and cylindrical columns, surrounded by miniature trees and pathways.
Site plan illustration showing the layout of an intercommunal school surrounded by trees and pathways.
Architectural site plan showing a layout with circular and rectangular buildings, pathways, and surrounding landscape elements.
The image shows a modular grid and examples of programmatic flexibility. On the left, a grid with measurements labeled '9x9 m' and smaller sections labeled '80', '40', and '20'. On the right, five squares of varying sizes labeled '120 m²', '100 m²', '80 m²', '40 m²', and '20 m²', with dashed lines indicating potential extensions.
Architectural floor plans of the underground level of a school and parish building.
Two architectural diagrams illustrating circulation concepts for a building. The left diagram shows an exterior circulation in a ribbon-like pattern, while the right diagram depicts an 'Open Air' configuration.
A structural diagram of a building showing a top view and a side section view with color-coded materials.
Architectural floor plan of a school building showing classrooms, offices, and circulation areas.
Architectural floor plan of a building showing a grid layout with multiple rooms labeled with numbers and functions.
Architectural floor plan of a building showing various rooms and corridors.
Architectural floor plan of a building showing various rooms and corridors, labeled with measurements and room names.
Architectural floor plan of a building featuring two basketball courts and various rooms.
Architectural floor plan of a sports hall featuring basketball courts and surrounding facilities.
Architectural elevation drawing of a multi-story building with external staircases and a grid-like facade.
Architectural section drawing of a school building, showing a detailed cross-section with multiple floors and surrounding landscape elements.
Architectural section drawing of a multi-story building with labeled elevation heights.
Architectural section and elevation drawings of a building, showing detailed construction elements and annotations.
Three architectural diagrams showing different pavilion structures with simple geometric shapes: a rectangular building, a circular building, and a long narrow structure.
A colorful architectural site plan illustration showing a school building surrounded by various elements including sports facilities, pavilions, and landscaped areas. The school is depicted as a compact, square structure with a yellow roof. The surrounding area includes a running track, trees, and several smaller structures, all labeled with different colors indicating their functions.

Story

An innovative school design that reimagines traditional typologies Contretype Intercommunal School in Malley is a visionary project by Brasebin Terrisse, Alejandra Alonso, and Joan Massagué. This proposal challenges conventional school design by reversing typical architectural typologies. The circulation is transformed into an outer ring, directly engaging with the surrounding landscape, while the sports hall is elevated to the top of the building, serving as a belvedere that crowns the structure. These bold moves create a vertical, compact building that harmonizes with the site's natural and historical elements, such as the forest, cedars, and the iconic Gasometer silhouette. Positioned at the eastern boundary of the buildable area, the school liberates ground space for communal activities and preserves the site's significant cedar trees. The building's compact volume is both an ecological and economical choice, promoting energy efficiency and a distinct architectural identity. The design extends beyond the building itself, integrating shared spaces like the flowered walk, which connects various site elements and fosters community interaction. The ground floor acts as a public interface, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces, while small pavilions constructed from reused materials provide additional functions. The school is designed for movement and openness, with outdoor galleries that encourage interaction with the environment. The structural and programmatic flexibility is achieved through a modular grid inspired by the Rubik's cube, allowing for adaptable learning spaces. The building's passive design strategies ensure natural ventilation and solar heat capture, enhancing the learning environment.

## Design Highlights

Outer ring circulation engaging with the landscape Elevated sports hall serving as a belvedere Compact volume for energy efficiency Integration with the site's natural and historical elements Modular grid for adaptable spaces Passive design for natural ventilation and solar heat capture

## Key Facts

Feature Detail
Location Malley, Switzerland
Architect Brasebin Terrisse, Alejandra Alonso, Joan Massagué
Year 2026
Status Competition
Structural System Wooden grid and glulam beams
Energy Strategy Photovoltaic panels and rainwater collection

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Facade: The facade features large glass windows and light blue panels.
  • Interior: The interior includes light wood paneling.

Materials

  • Glass — Used for large windows in both exterior and interior spaces.
  • Concrete — Used in the building's structure and facade.
  • Wood — Used in the structural grid and interior paneling.

Construction / Systems

  • Structural System: The building uses a double structural system with a wooden grid for the school and large glulam beams for the sports hall.
  • Facade System: The facade incorporates large glass windows and light blue panels.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: light blue, natural wood tones
  • Lighting: The building is designed to be bright and spacious with natural light.

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