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Project

Contretype Intercommunal School

- Malley, Switzerland

An innovative school design that reimagines traditional typologies, integrating the landscape with a unique circulation strategy and a sports hall belvedere.

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.

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Story

Contretype Intercommunal School

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

Updated 4/9/2026

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.

Images

Modern building with glass windows and staircase next to a spherical structure, surrounded by trees and a sports field.
Building facade with light blue panels and large windows, diagonal white structure in foreground.
Interior of a room with light wood paneling, large windows, and children's play furniture.
Interior of a sports hall with large windows, exposed beams, and a view of trees outside.
Scale model of a building complex with a multi-story structure, trees, and a spherical structure.
Scale model of a modern building with a flat roof and layered design, surrounded by trees and structures.
Architectural model of a school building with a flat roof and multiple levels, surrounded by trees and a spherical structure on stilts.
Architectural model showing a building with a flat roof, cylindrical columns, and surrounding trees and pathways.
Illustrated site plan of an intercommunal school with surrounding trees, pathways, and adjacent buildings.
Site plan of an architectural project featuring circular and rectangular structures, pathways, and landscaped areas.
Modular grid and programmatic flexibility diagram with labeled measurements and squares.
Floor plans showing the layout of the underground level of a school and parish building with labeled rooms and dimensions.
Two architectural diagrams showing exterior circulation and open air configuration for a building.
Structural diagram of a building with top and side views, featuring color-coded materials.
Floor plan of a school building with labeled rooms and pathways.
Floor plan of a building with a grid layout, showing rooms labeled with numbers and functions.
Floor plan of a building with labeled rooms and corridors, including classrooms and multi-purpose areas.
Floor plan of a building with labeled rooms and corridors, including areas such as WC, Eco, and CVSE Sport.
Floor plan showing two basketball courts and adjacent rooms.
Floor plan showing a sports hall with basketball courts and adjacent facilities.
Elevation drawing of a building with external stairs and grid facade.
Section drawing of a school with multiple floors and trees around.
Section drawing of a multi-story building showing interior layout and elevation heights.
Detailed architectural section and elevation drawings with annotations.
Architectural diagrams of three pavilion structures with geometric shapes: rectangular, circular, and narrow.
Illustrated site plan of a school with surrounding sports facilities, pavilions, and landscaped areas.

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