The Nordic Educational and Sports Center of La Féclaz, located on the plateau of Revard at an elevation of 1400 meters, is a picturesque building that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. Surrounded by cross-country ski trails in the winter and lush pastures in the summer, the center’s architectural design is simple yet elegant, with a compact volume based on a square shape that is topped with a large three-pitched roof and a half-hipped roof.
The choice of materials for the center is focused on geo- and bio-sourced materials with a frugal design approach. The frame is constructed with solid wood from local forests, specifically labeled as “Bois des Alpes”. Walls above 2.80 meters are made of wooden frames covered with solid larch boards. The exterior walls are made of local Grésy stone with an inner concrete double wall for added durability against impacts from ski equipment and the moist environment of a cross-country skiing center. The underside of the ceiling consists of solid local spruce battens.
The technical description of the center includes an exterior masonry construction that incorporates an inner concrete double wall and Grésy stone for insulation, making the building highly energy efficient. The walls support a solid spruce wood frame designed in small sections with mortise and tenon joints to create a large lattice and free up ground space. Heating is provided by radiant floor heating to evaporate moisture from melted snow and reduce heat losses due to entries and exits. Energy production is managed by a photovoltaic power station, and the air handling unit complements the heating system with thermodynamic production and heat recovery.
