Collège d'Orlinde in Bretenoux
- Julia Liese
The Collège d’Orlinde is the first school in the department of Lot that generates more power than it consumes – mostly due to the 1200 m² rooftop photovoltaic system. The planners further managed to keep the carbon footprint of the building as small as possible by using bio-based materials. The school serves grades 6 to 9 and is located between the municipalities of Bretenoux and Biars-sur-Cère in southwestern France. It replaces an old building that now finds use for other purposes. Due to its limited height, the single storey volume adapts to its surroundings, occupied by squat commercial and residential buildings. The architects found design inspiration in the bastides typical to the region: small, medieval town centres arranged orthogonally around a market square and encircled by fortifications. Similarly, the school displays a closed exterior envelope and an open character facing two interior courtyards.
