Lycée Français de New York

Located on a through-block site, two five-story structures are connected by three full-lot floors and a north-south bridge at the second level.  Shared program spaces such as libraries, cafeteria, auditorium and gymnasia unify the school at the three lower levels. The school is organized around a central landscaped rooftop courtyard accessible to both upper and lower schools.

Contrasting materials respond to the building’s north/south orientation, define the exterior identity of the school and express different aspects of the school’s history and mission. South façades are pre-cast concrete, and north façades are primarily a translucent channel glass system. A framework of horizontal channels and vertical column enclosures unifies the overall design.

The naturally-lit interior spaces of the new Lycée reflect the school’s mission to create a dynamic environment for learning. The openness and transparency between levels and adjacent spaces reinforce a sense of community and promote interaction between students, teachers and staff. The typical classroom corridor layout forms a loop on each floor, encapsulating the core and support spaces at the center and providing access to classrooms along the perimeter.