Students from Germaine-Tillion Middle School recently experienced an immersive journey into Modern and Art Deco architecture during an educational visit that left them comparing the building to scenes from American films. The visit was part of an ongoing educational initiative designed to expose young people in the Puy-de-Dôme region to architectural heritage and design principles.
For the second consecutive year, the Jean-Zay establishment opened its doors on Friday, October 17, specifically for educational visits aimed at local youth. The Architecture, Urban Planning and Environment Council (CAUE) of Puy-de-Dôme organized these special tours as part of the National Architecture Days, which ran from October 16-19, coinciding with the Children's Heritage Edition events.
The educational program featured an interactive question-and-answer format that encouraged student engagement throughout the visit. Following previous visits by students from Jean-Zay and Jeanne-d'Arc schools, it was the turn of ninth-grade students from the pre-professional program at Germaine-Tillion to step through the doors of the Modern-style building.
Dominique Moiriat, an architect and advisor for CAUE 63, led the guided tour, providing expert commentary on the building's architectural features and historical significance. The students were able to examine firsthand the distinctive elements of Modern and Art Deco design, learning about the architectural movements that shaped 20th-century building styles.
These educational visits represent part of a broader effort to connect young people with their architectural heritage while fostering appreciation for design and urban planning principles. The program demonstrates how historical buildings can serve as living classrooms, offering students tangible examples of architectural evolution and artistic expression in their own community.
