Bailly School and Recreation Center

Saint-Denis, France

Roof-light-color

Public

2015

Find out more

Status

Completed

Client

City of Saint-Denis

Address

Rue du Bailly, Saint-Denis, France

Date

2015

Area

3 900 m²

Program (Details)

Classrooms, Workshops, Dining, Kitchen, Playrooms, Interior Gardens, Administration.

Credits

Photos: Florian Kleinfenn

Project Team

Architect

Mikoü

Structure

INGEROP

Fluids

INGEROP

HQE

TRIBU

Economy

Bureau Michel Forgue

Others

Graphics and signage: Ruedi Baur
Acoustics: ACV

The street, named after the Bailli, a royal officer, recalls a time when, until 1720, it was used to transport kings, queens, and blood princes to their final resting place at the Basilica of Saint-Denis. Today, this historically rich street stands at the heart of contemporary urban transformation.

The Street of Bailli: A Connection Between History and Architecture
The project is situated in a rapidly transforming neighborhood, at the edge of the railway lines, in the residential outskirts of Saint-Denis, while providing a captivating view of the Montmartre hill.

Industrial Reminiscence: The Colored Concrete Sheds

The site is home to remarkable railway buildings: red brick structures and vaulted reinforced concrete naves from the 1920s, designed by engineer Eugène Freyssinet. These “cathedrals of the railway” evoke a distinct grandeur, born of an era when engineering and architecture intertwined to embody both progress and industrial magnificence.

A Dialogue Between Modernity and Heritage
The project is inspired by these archetypal forms, particularly the roof sheds, which serve as the dominant structural and formal elements, shaping the project’s identity while allowing for the incorporation of zenithal light. These lightweight concrete shell roofs echo the site’s railway heritage.

Under the Colored Shells, the Hall of Mirrors

This project represents an architectural vision centered on the city, designed to cultivate urbanity and encourage social interaction. Upon entry, a glazed, through-gallery provides views of Bailli Street, seamlessly linking the building to its surroundings. The colored undersides of the sheds create a delicate balance between natural light and the architectural features of the façades. The classrooms are distributed across two levels, forming north-south transverse strips, which culminate in metal gables facing the railway tracks.

Light and Color: A Palette Inspired by the Stained Glass of the Basilica
The distinctive feature of the project lies in the use of sheds, arranged in a serial pattern. These structures capture colored, indirect light and provide nocturnal ventilation, creating an optimal spatial experience. Crafted from mass-tinted concrete, the roofs are both lightweight and striking, setting the rhythm of the building all the way to the entrance plaza.
The color palette is drawn from the stained glass of the Basilica of Saint-Denis; these subtle hues are brought to life by the black bricks of the base, echoing the neighboring brick buildings.

The circulation routes and interior gardens establish both visual and spatial connections between all areas. The project offers informal spaces for exchange and relaxation, promoting a sense of both individual and collective interaction. It achieves a balance between functionality and warmth, intimacy and openness.