CEOL – Post-compulsory Education Center of West Lausanne

The programmatic organization was first reflected in terms of users and their differentiated accessibility. The public entrance to the gym and the Aula is at street level, while the education rooms develop in the upper floors from the lobby, which is at court level. This crossing space creates a certain permeability between the street and the square of the gym and increases the visibility of this new institution for the city and its surroundings.

The volume is defined as an “L” with only one caesura in the roof to ensure the highest volumetric compactness. The higher part marks the reversal of the system and corresponds to the exact hold of the gym. This upper part accommodates the joint programs of the gym and extends to a generous roof terrace. It is oriented to the south and has a pleasant open view on the distant landscape. This raised esplanade reclaims a natural environment to offer different areas of relaxation and recreation for students.

The search for a rational and economic support structure has greatly influenced our design project. The main structural issue is the superposition of two distinct static systems: The gym and the Aula require significantly larger supports the than classrooms. This static issue was solved by using two sails taking all the upper floors as static height, this solution allows to cross 46m above the gym keeping the thickness of a standard slab.