A forest for learning, a park for growing up

Founded in 2018 by Charles Hesters and Pierre Martin-Saint-Etienne, HEMAA is an architecture
firm that embraces a contextual, sobriety-based approach rooted in the living world. Each project
emerges from a careful reading of its surroundings, seeking a balance between nature, use, and
material. In Evry-Courcouronnes (Greater Paris – France), the Parc des Loges Childhood and
Sports Center fully embodies this philosophy: a gentle, landscape-based composition built from
bio- and geo-sourced materials, serving a public facility that is open, generous, and sustainable.

An Architecture with Deep Roots

Perfectly integrated into the site’s natural topography, the project follows the slope without
artificial alteration. Five entities—nursery, elementary school, childminders’ hub, cafeteria, and
sports stand—are arranged around a central garden courtyard, sheltered from the street yet open
to the landscape. Connected by delicate glazed walkways, these autonomous volumes
encourage natural light, visual connections, and a relationship with the living environment. An
allegory of the constituent materials of the lodge park, the facades are made of load-bearing
rammed earth and the interior framework is entirely wooden.

Pathways meander between newly planted trees, extending the school naturally into the park. The
children’s garden becomes a tamed forest, planted with oaks, ashes, maples, and elms, and
punctuated by a clearing inviting free play. Inspired by the Waldkindergarten philosophy, the
project offers a playful and immersive vision of learning—one that is deeply anchored in nature
and the living world.

Sobriety-oriented materials

The entire project follows a demanding environmental approach. The 665 m³ of load-bearing earth
used for the façades—equivalent to 1,330 m² of 50-cm-thick walls—were sourced from the Grand
Paris metro tunnel excavations. Insulated with hemp wool, these walls retain the natural
breathability of rammed earth. The green roofs (15–20 cm of substrate) enhance thermal comfort
and support natural water management. Adjustable sunshades and deep roof overhangs regulate
sunlight naturally. The building orientation captures winter light and promotes natural summer
ventilation. Abundant, diverse vegetation limits urban heat island effects and strengthens local
biodiversity.

Wood and rammed earth create a soft, rooted architecture with simple geometric shapes. In this
working-class community, where many children do not leave the city during school breaks, the
childhood center is meant to be both a place of learning and a space for escape. Rammed earth
—a living, breathable material—invites touch and provides a unique setting for children growing
up in a city largely built from concrete. Wood, warm and tactile, defines the interiors and the
structure. At the base, low-carbon textured concrete, punctuated with glazed panels at child
height (60 cm), combines sturdiness, natural light, and intimacy.

A Shared Facility

The sports complex naturally extends this architectural language. Its 300-seat grandstand,
perfectly oriented, ensures optimal viewing comfort. Its gently sloping roof lowers toward the
leisure area, preserving light and views within the courtyards. Integrated into the whole, it
reinforces the idea of a shared, intergenerational, and open public space at the heart of the city.