Nestled in the picturesque Martigny region of Valais, Switzerland, the Ecole Saxon Fully Middle School is more than just an educational facility—it is a testament to the union of form, function, and environmental consciousness. Designed by Lemanarc and completed in 2016, the school brings together nearly 400 students, aged 11 to 14, from the towns of Fully and Saxon, marking the first time students from these two areas have been united under one roof. The project’s innovative design, energy efficiency, and its subtle dialogue with the surrounding landscape make it an exemplar of modern educational architecture.
A School Born from Unity
Named after the towns it serves, Ecole Saxon Fully was born out of a desire to provide a shared space for students and educators from both Fully and Saxon. Two-thirds of the students hail from Fully, while one-third come from Saxon, symbolizing the school’s role as a bridge between these two communities. But this bridging extends beyond the student body; it is etched into the very architecture of the building.
The school’s design merges two wings, seemingly separated, yet visually and functionally connected by a reflective glass façade that mirrors the nearby mountains and vineyards. The transparency and opacity of the windows not only regulate natural light but also give the building an ethereal quality, where landscape and structure meld into one. The façade, with its dynamic interplay of reflection and transparency, becomes a canvas for the surrounding nature, echoing the vines that stretch across Fully’s hillsides.
Compact Design with Expansive Vision
What strikes one most upon visiting the school is how its scale belies its true size. Designed with precision and restraint, the layout creates a sense of intimacy. Moving through its spaces, students and teachers feel as though they are cocooned in smaller, more personal environments rather than navigating a vast structure. The building’s clean lines, soft visual elements, and the play of light and shadow between the blocks give it a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. Skylights flood the interior with natural light, providing a constant connection to the outside world while fostering a tranquil, contemplative environment inside.
Though the school comprises 50 classrooms, its thoughtful organization and architectural sophistication prevent it from feeling overwhelming. Instead, it offers a series of human-scaled spaces that promote calm and concentration—qualities often missing from large institutional buildings.
Energy as an Architectural Pillar
At the heart of Ecole Saxon Fully is its commitment to sustainability, which extends far beyond its visual appeal. The building was conceived not only as a space for learning but also as an exercise in energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. Solar panels crown the roof, harnessing renewable energy to power the school, while a heat pump draws from the local water table to provide natural heating. The building’s energy performance is impressive: even during the sweltering summer heat, with outdoor temperatures reaching 32°C, the interior remains a cool and comfortable 23°C. This level of climate control demonstrates the success of both the passive and active design elements at play.
One of the more intriguing features of the school is the way technical elements are seamlessly integrated into the design. Ventilation, heating, and electrical systems are concealed within the structure, ensuring that nothing detracts from the sleek aesthetic. The result is a building that not only operates efficiently but looks effortlessly clean and modern, with the only visible hint of its sustainability being the solar panels atop the roof.
A Testament to Modern Educational Design
In its design, Ecole Saxon Fully represents a new wave of educational architecture—one that doesn’t merely serve its functional purpose but enhances the learning environment through thoughtful integration with its surroundings and advanced sustainable technologies. The building’s compact form, paired with its reflective glass façade, creates a dialogue with the landscape, reminding students daily of their connection to the natural world.
Ultimately, Ecole Saxon Fully is more than just a middle school. It is a community hub, an architectural achievement, and a testament to how sustainability and education can intersect seamlessly. In its quiet sophistication, this school reminds us that buildings can teach us as much as the lessons inside them—about sustainability, about connection, and about the future we are building for the next generation.