Backed by a classified forest Natura 2000 ancient oaks and tall pines, the building slides under a vegetable layer to blend into the wood.

Constituting a plant slope, he occasionally leaves open the boxes, as posed on the landscape. The silhouette of 128m long and broken, creates a low line where equipment is indicated by the presence of salient volumes whose scale is controlled.

The entry under the central box to the only crossing of the slope from the meadow of the court toward the forest behind. This light call is an invitation to come inside clear and white modules where the generous presence of light surprises the visitor.

In addition, the bank can protect the frame of the weather, to provide thermal comfort but also to ensure the retention of rain water by integrating them into landscaping. This bias, beyond the aesthetics of the project, participated in the creation of a low-impact equipment.

The building favors local timber through the use of the maritime pine, thanks to the ABOVE technique for outdoor vêtures and cladding. 

This technique was introduced by members ABOVE eponymous research center bringing together architects, engineers, researchers, industry and local sawmills, and benefit from the European policy of "clusters". 
In fact, grouped within the Xylofuture cluster that energizes innovation for local French forest industry, ABOVE supported by the Aquitaine Region, is one of the industrial policy tools and the development of innovation in France.

Thus the building appears as a showcase building materials in the region and as evidence of local expertise.

Landscape, architecture, environmental mastery and innovative techniques are linked to create a unique equipment, establishing a dialogue and a scale ratio just with its environment.

All Images © Marjan Hessamfar and Joe Vérons Associated Architects

Project Facts

Construction of the training center for apprentices in Mont de Marsan (40) 
owner Chamber of Trades and Crafts of the Landes, SATEL moa agent 
project manager Marjan hessamfar & joe vérons architects associated agents, OTCE bet, bet Inddigo hqe, Cuisinorme kitchen designer, Sabine Haristoy landscape 
Mission MOP law - Partial EXE - kitchen equipment 
HQE 
amount of work € 10,265,000 ht 
surface of 6404 m² shon 
Phase VISA DET -. Delivery Nov 2013

The Mont Apprentice Training Centre Marsan is an educational building that houses 600 students. 6 learning centers are provided and train students for careers in: