AR Studio d'Architectures has completed 42UP, a groundbreaking vertical campus extension for École 42 in Paris's 17th arrondissement that doubles the school's capacity while minimizing its physical footprint. The innovative project transforms 3,600 square meters into a comprehensive 9,025 square meter educational facility, accommodating 1,400 workstations in an institution that operates 24/7 without traditional teachers, courses, or tuition fees.
Rather than demolishing existing structures, the architects employed an environmentally conscious approach by preserving the original 1962 building and adding four base volumes topped with a five-story metal superstructure rising 18 meters above. This architectural strategy embodies the principle of "building upon the existing" and represents a commitment to sustainable construction practices that respect the site's historical significance. The original structure was built on land cleared from Paris's demolished fortifications, specifically Bastion 42, which adds symbolic meaning to this digital learning campus.
The most striking architectural element is a metal building-bridge suspended above the existing structure, supported by vertical circulation towers containing double Chambord staircases and an impressive 42-meter structural beam. This engineering feat creates a column-free third floor beneath the beam, resulting in a spectacular balcony that offers panoramic views of the city. The volumetric design successfully combines architectural elegance with structural innovation, allowing construction to proceed while the school remained fully operational by temporarily relocating students to NOC42 dormitories during critical construction phases.
A distinctive white perforated metal skin unifies the old and new structures, creating visual contrast with the original black facade while establishing harmony with the neighboring NOC42 dormitories. The facade features a precise 1.17 x 1.17-meter grid that transforms into triangular modules on the superstructure, generating dynamic relief patterns that evolve throughout the day as light conditions change. Double-height glazing units measuring 2.34 x 2.34 meters punctuate this metallic veil, establishing a rhythmic architectural language that defines the building's visual identity.
This micro-perforated envelope serves multiple functional purposes, providing essential solar protection for a building housing 1,400 heat-generating computers while simultaneously flooding interior spaces with natural light. The responsive facade becomes animated throughout the day, with transparency levels varying according to weather conditions and time, creating an ever-changing dialogue between interior and exterior environments. This high-performance skin significantly contributes to summer comfort levels, which is crucial for maintaining optimal conditions in this data-intensive educational environment.
42UP operates as part of a symbiotic relationship with the NOC42 complex, a winner of the Réinventer Paris competition that provides 700 residential beds across Boulevard Bessières. Together, these facilities form a comprehensive urban campus fully integrated into the neighborhood fabric, conceived as a unified vision since 2015. This interconnected ecosystem represents an innovative model for urban educational infrastructure, where living, learning, and recreational spaces coexist seamlessly within the existing city framework.
The architecture addresses the chronic underutilization of educational facilities through exceptional spatial efficiency and chronotopy, leveraging the school's continuous 24/7 operation to maximize space utilization. Expansive open floors replace traditional enclosed classrooms, with peripheral circulation paths and intimate alcoves strategically positioned behind staircases to offer quiet spaces for concentrated study or collaborative work. Acoustic comfort is achieved through wood wool ceiling panels and specialized textile coverings, while each level features a distinct chromatic identity using red, green, or blue color schemes to facilitate intuitive navigation throughout the building.
Street art installations, curated by Nicolas Laugero Lasserre, animate the four main staircases, transforming routine vertical circulation into inspiring artistic journeys. Each stairwell showcases different artist universes, creating distinct spatial identities that serve both aesthetic and practical wayfinding functions. These artistic interventions provide intuitive orientation assistance while enriching the student experience, turning necessary movement through the building into moments of discovery and creative inspiration.
The completed 42UP project represents a significant advancement in educational architecture, demonstrating how innovative design can address contemporary challenges of urban density, sustainability, and evolving pedagogical needs. With landscape design by Atelier Moabi, concrete structure by IA, facade work by VP & Green, and acoustic consulting by Néo DB, this collaborative effort showcases the potential for educational facilities to serve as catalysts for urban renewal while maintaining respect for historical context and environmental responsibility.
