2nd Prize in closed competition
The New French School in Athens
The new French school in Athens represents a large-scale educational project for elementary and kindergarden levels, developed with a global perspective, addressing identity, feasibility, and integration into contemporary construction and learning practices.
The Ancient Greek Archetypes within the French educational system
The design builds a bold relationship with its natural surroundings—symbolically, environmentally, and educationally. From the outset, the project posed a key question: What defines a French school in Greece today? How can it reflect the qualities of Greek culture that resonate with French-speaking communities while providing a distinct experience in the host country?
The response lies in the integration of open spaces and proximity to nature. Outdoor living is central to life in Greece, where social and educational activities often unfold outside. The school’s design internalizes this ethos, embedding open spaces into the architecture. This approach draws inspiration from the ancient Greek tradition of schools closely tied to nature. Plato's Academy, for instance, was situated in a grove of olive trees, where students engaged in philosophical discussions amidst the natural surroundings. Similarly, Aristotle's Lyceum, renowned for its "peripatetic" method, emphasized learning through walking and dialogue in open-air spaces. These historical precedents highlight the enduring connection between education, nature, and physical movement, which the new school seeks to reinterpret in a contemporary context.
Inspirations from the authentic nature of the region
Located in Pallini, a suburb with agricultural roots and a strong connection to Mount Ymittos, the project respects the Mesogeia region's legacy of viticulture, olive cultivation, and farmland. This historical backdrop underscores the importance of preserving natural areas, biodiversity, and sustainable land use.
Site Planning and Orientation / Architectural Layout
To optimize the site’s potential, the school’s built volume is concentrated in the northern part of the property, shielding courtyards from prevailing winds. A secondary volume runs along Rue Leontariou to the west, acting as a buffer against noise pollution while defining the site’s busiest boundary.
The layout reflects the programmatic connections between teaching units and shared spaces. The main entrance on Rue Leontariou creates a cohesive transition from the forecourt to the reception hall and the interior garden. This space offers visitors a sense of grandeur and provides children with a daily experience of openness.
The reception hall efficiently organizes traffic between administrative areas, the nursery, the primary school, and the library. The overall scale aligns with local architectural norms, maintaining a human-centered design through multiple smaller volumes organized around the central courtyard.
Open and Social Spaces
The outdoor spaces range from structured hardscapes to lush green areas. The playgrounds are designed to allow direct contact with natural ground, reinforcing the sense that the school is part of a larger ecosystem. Small-scale equipment, like benches, encourages students to claim spaces as their own, promoting social interaction.
Environmental Design
The school confronts contemporary environmental challenges through innovative construction and design strategies. By prioritizing natural materials, energy efficiency, and biodiversity, it embodies the concept of a “natural school” that students engage with daily.
Key features include biodiverse walls that support local ecosystems, materials chosen to minimize resource extraction, rainwater harvesting systems for sustainable water management, and a low-energy building envelope designed for optimal thermal performance.
Every indoor space is seamlessly paired with an outdoor counterpart, integrating courtyards, gardens, and vegetation into the architectural experience. These natural elements promote relaxation, encourage exploration, and support students’ holistic development, reinforcing the perception of the school as a harmonious extension of its ecological surroundings.

Year
2024

Architectural Design, Interior Design
MICROMEGA ARCHITECTURE & STRATEGIES
(Zomas Alexandros, Papavasieiou Mara, Margarita Micha, Natalia Tsakalaki, Giorgos Lazaridis, Anna Tsoka, Giannis Georgaklis)
Z - LEVEL ARCHITECTURE
(Elena Zervoudaki)

Structural Design
Maria Kazakou

MEP Design
ENERTEK, Antonis Stavrianakis

Sustainability consultant
Green Evolution, Ioannis Pappas

Economy of construction
Nikos Mbon

Acoustics consultant
ACC Accoustics Consultancy Company - Alexandros Galatas

Landscape Design Consultant
TOPIODOMI

Light Design Consultant
Light In Space - Alkestie Skarlatou