Photographer: © Armand Luciani

Clean white with an Arabian touch

It is not a very wellknown word in the Netherlands, but you are probably familiar with the characteristic style of Moucharabieh. It is the Arabic style whereby patterns are made in the facade by making holes in the sheet material. is was the inspiration for the Simone Veil school in Corsica. In his design, architect Frederic Puccini played with light and created a spatial effect.

Project of the year

The school needed to be (symbolically) protected from the outside world,’ explains the architect. ‘At the same time, you want to maintain an open feeling. By perforating the facade, as it were, you can maintain the spaciousness while creating separateness.’ This perforation is the most signifcant reason why Simone Veil was named Project of the Year. White Trespa^® Meteon^® panels were used for the facade, in a playful way.

Play with light

The perforated sheets are useful as well as beautiful. They protect against light and warmth in a country where the summers can be very hot. It also results in a very special play of light in the garden. The perforations create rays of light in varying sizes that entertain the children when they are outside.

The structure is therefore reminiscent of a code language. It is futuristic and symbolises knowledge and learning: the most important concepts in this school building.