School extension, Courrendlin

The project
The first part of the Courrendlin school centre has been completed, and secondary school pupils have taken possession of their brand new premises. This first part concerns the building for secondary school pupils, with a capacity of fifteen additional classrooms. A second building will be erected in the same sector to accommodate the youngest pupils. The vertical load-bearing structures are made of reinforced concrete and are visible from the outside. The slabs of the various classrooms are made of wood and used in a short circuit. They are supported by wooden linings that incorporate the building's thermal insulation.

The construction
A mixed wood/concrete slab was used for the classrooms on the first floor, with a reinforced concrete slab on the ground floor. Insulated wooden elements form a vertical support for the slabs, which are horizontally stabilised by the reinforced concrete exterior walls via a reinforcement connecting them to the concrete. Envelope elements set into the external walls clad the façade to complement the concrete.

The challenge
The management of thermal bridges, and in particular the risk of condensation in the timber structure, was an essential element in this project, with a cold load-bearing structure. A specific support detail was therefore developed especially for this project to guarantee the durability of the supports.