Jacques-Leber secondary school

Jacques-Leber Secondary School combines luminous design, flexibility, and durable materials to create a warm and inspiring environment.

Beyond the aesthetic aspects of materiality and architectural form, we believe that the design of a school must прежде all create an environment that supports the needs of its users, in order to encourage students’ growth and development. A school should integrate harmoniously into its urban and natural surroundings, in continuity with the city’s evolution, its history, and the spirit of the place, to foster a strong sense of belonging within the community.

For Jacques-Leber Secondary School in Saint-Constant, our primary objective was to design a place that supports both student well-being and academic success. We envisioned bright, open, and flexible spaces that provide a stimulating learning environment, encourage collaboration, and include areas for relaxation. These spaces allow students to recharge and focus under optimal conditions. Every detail was carefully considered, from the treatment of masonry façades and metal cladding to the selection of interior materials, in order to enrich the student experience.

The use of wood plays a central role, both in classrooms and in common areas, serving as both a finish and a structural material. Our team actively collaborated on the integration of wood, notably by proposing adapted measures to allow its use in a building classified as non-combustible. Generous glazing, calming color palettes, and careful control of acoustic and thermal performance create a bright living environment that opens to the outdoors, promoting occupant comfort and well-being.

We also incorporated principles of flexibility into the design of learning spaces, allowing teachers to adopt a variety of teaching approaches, including outdoor activities, to make learning more dynamic and better suited to students’ specific needs. This flexibility directly contributes to student perseverance and improved academic success.

The architectural and urban integration of Jacques-Leber Secondary School was also a key objective. We drew inspiration from boomtown-style heritage architecture, still present in the village core of Saint-Constant, in order to respect the city’s local and historical characteristics. By designing spaces that harmonize with their surroundings while using local materials, we ensured the project’s seamless integration into daily community life, thereby reinforcing its social acceptability.

By creating this tangible connection with the community, we strengthen students’ sense of belonging—an essential factor in their well-being and success. This supportive environment reduces stress and anxiety, fostering an inclusive learning setting in which students are motivated, confident, and engaged in their educational journey.

The school is divided into three blocks: a four-storey academic volume and a two-storey sports block, connected by a central atrium that houses the main entrance and a multipurpose room. This atrium, a true link between the school and the neighborhood, offers visual connections to the welcoming forecourt and the green courtyard. The site layout was optimized to facilitate access, integrate the school harmoniously into its surrounding park, enhance views, and maximize sunlight for the benefit of users.

We hope that the new Jacques-Leber Secondary School in Saint-Constant will have an immediate positive impact on students and their academic success. Ultimately, we aim for this environment to contribute to the development of responsible, open-minded citizens, ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.