Nominated for Le Moniteur’s First Work Award (Prix de la Première Œuvre) in 2011.

This institution is dedicated to the lasting professional and social integration of young adults aged 18 to 25 who left the school system without qualifications or employment.

The architectural intervention sought to unlock the potential of the existing building to offer students a fulfilling environment while giving the Second Chance School a strong architectural identity. The dilapidated building underwent a comprehensive restructuring: removal of existing floor slabs, part of the load-bearing structure, the roof covering, and technical equipment, alongside a complete restoration of the façades. A training room, a corporate relations hub, and a computer lab were also created.

On the façade, we turned a fire-safety requirement into a design opportunity by installing an exterior staircase served by open-air walkways, creating a privileged outdoor space for the students. Built from painted tubular and flat steel profiles, the façade echoes the nearby railway tracks.