French architecture firm Brenac & Gonzalez & Associés has completed Les Fabriques, an innovative school complex in northern Marseille that combines solid stone construction with a terraced design to create a climate-responsive educational environment. The project, located in the city's Littorale urban development zone, houses both a nursery school and an elementary school within a compact, vertically-oriented structure that maximizes limited ground space while providing extensive outdoor learning areas.

The architectural team designed the complex as what they call a "landscape building," featuring interlocking mineral volumes that follow the site's natural topography. This unique approach creates sheltered spaces between the stone volumes that serve as open-air classrooms, performance areas, and gardens. The design specifically addresses Marseille's challenging environmental conditions, including strong mistral winds, intense solar exposure, and frequent heatwaves, by creating a sequence of protected zones throughout the school campus.

The building's most distinctive feature is its construction from solid stone blocks sourced from the local Beaulieu quarry. These blocks, measuring 20 to 45 centimeters thick, provide significant thermal mass that helps regulate interior temperatures naturally. The stone construction is complemented by deep overhangs that provide passive solar protection, while the material's density helps moderate heat gain in classrooms and corridors. The architects combined stone with concrete in a hybrid structural system that balances thermal performance with structural efficiency.

The complex's vertical design strategy allows the preschool playground to occupy the central ground area, while additional outdoor spaces for the elementary school are arranged in a stepped configuration that rises toward the roof. At the request of the City of Marseille, the rooftop accommodates a sports facility featuring half a basketball court, an athletics track, and a tensile mesh structure designed to resemble a catamaran sail. This rooftop facility extends the building's public function by serving as a neighborhood gathering space during non-school hours.

Attention to daily functionality is evident throughout the design, including details such as a continuous line of coat hooks inspired by artist Osvaldo Cavandoli, which provides clear orientation guidance for children. The circulation system is organized to support calm movement and effective supervision within the school, addressing both functional needs and safety requirements in this urban area.

The project was developed through close collaboration with Euroméditerranée and the City of Marseille, who supported program modifications and facilitated experimentation with innovative construction methods. The building participates in the city's "À nous les toits" (The Roofs Are Ours) initiative, which allows local associations and residents to use the facilities outside school hours. This approach demonstrates how architectural design can serve both educational and community needs while contributing to urban resilience.

Les Fabriques represents a successful integration of traditional materials with contemporary design strategies, showing how solid stone construction, compact urban massing, and terraced outdoor spaces can be combined to achieve climate resilience in dense city environments. The project establishes a protective and adaptable educational environment while providing a durable architectural landmark for Marseille's developing northern districts.