The project site is characterized by its natural slope down to the lake and its magnificent view of Savoie against the background of the Alps. These outstanding features, along with the very large, longitudinal school building known as "Les Rojalets" and the terraced sports grounds of the Commugny-Coppet intercommunal sports centre, clearly orientate the site towards this panorama.
The project for the new sports facilities (ice rink, swimming pool and gym) covers all the rectangular grassed area south of the existing car park (which it retains) and is arranged parallel to the football pitches.
In cross-section, the project’s half-sunken arrangement is closely linked to the site’s sloping topography and its majestic view. This design accordingly offers a very low facade along the Route du Jura, preserving the openness of the site to the mountains, and a facade with a wide opening onto the panorama.
On the site level, the project is characterized by a large horizontal floating roof above the sloping ground. On the constructional level, the extreme fineness of this sweeping roof is achieved by the use of Kerto lumber panels, of a depth of 69 mm, placed end-to-end to form a huge origami measuring 90 x 45 m.
All the magic of the project emanates from the fineness of this roof, resting on two series of equally fine pillars (15 - 20 cm). The intervals between these measure 3.5 m on the road side and 7 m on the lake side. Just like a folded sheet of wood floating in the landscape, the project, through its form and implementation, seeks lightness, elegance and openness towards the lake and mountains.
The relationship between the site’s natural slope and the timber roof’s horizontality entirely defines the project’s internal space: the narrower opening on the road side and the much larger one on the lake and mountain side, all reinforced by the orientation of the roof folds towards the landscape. This spatial arrangement is consistent throughout the project, whether for the swimming pool, ice rink or cafeteria/entrance hall.
