iXcampus Design School by Same Architectes: A Dialogue Between Innovation and Heritage

Located on the edge of the state-owned Saint-Germain-en-Laye forest, near the town center, the iXcampus represents a new generation of sustainable and innovation-driven educational environments. Designed by Same Architectes, this development establishes a thoughtful connection between the suburban surroundings, lush greenery, and the region’s rich architectural and landscape heritage.

A Vision Rooted in Context

The new buildings form part of a broader masterplan that carefully respects the existing identity of the park while reimagining the campus for the future. The architectural approach emphasizes integration and continuity—each new element engages in a subtle dialogue with the pre-existing structures. This shared architectural language enhances harmony across the site while ensuring long-term adaptability and sustainability.

Strategic Positioning and Morphological Design

Positioned on the eastern boundary of the campus, the design school occupies a prominent location, benefiting from high visibility within the urban fabric. A spacious public forecourt marks the main entrance, functioning as a transitional threshold between the city and the campus.

The building’s form—a splayed parallelepiped with a gently concave roofline—echoes the natural topography and urban geometry of its setting. The simplicity of its massing and clean lines creates a clear architectural statement, linking the town, park, and adjacent university facilities.

Locally sourced massive stone clads the façade, referencing regional landmarks and reinforcing the building’s strong connection to its territory.

A Sensitive and Sustainable Façade

Each façade has been designed with equal consideration, characterized by a rhythmic interplay of stone panels and wooden-framed windows. This alternating pattern of transparency and solidity creates a visual balance between materiality and light. The use of a modular grid system ensures architectural coherence and efficiency, while subtle variations in depth add richness and movement to the elevations.

Adaptable and Open Interior Spaces

The building’s post-and-beam structural system allows for a high degree of flexibility and transformation. Lightweight, removable partitions make it possible to easily adapt spaces to evolving educational needs, supporting a forward-thinking approach to learning environments.

The ground floor opens onto the landscaped exterior and contains the main entrance lobby, designed as a bright and welcoming space. A sculptural spiral staircase—serving as a visual centerpiece—leads to the upper-level classrooms and studios. Administrative offices are placed in the building’s narrower section, benefiting from optimal daylight and spatial efficiency.

In the basement, a lecture hall and computer labs are illuminated through lushly planted window wells, ensuring natural light and a connection to the landscape even below ground level.

Conclusion

The iXcampus Design School embodies a sensitive and contextual architectural vision—one that unites heritage, innovation, and sustainability. Through its careful site integration, local material use, and adaptable spatial configuration, the project stands as a model for contemporary educational architecture that respects both its environment and its users.

Photograpgy: Schnepp Renou