Villemur-sur-Tarn School Complex – France 

SYSTRA carried out the engineering design for the new school complex in Villemur-sur-Tarn, a growing town north of Toulouse. The school opened its doors at the start of the 2026/27 school year.

Designed with lead architect Pierre-Luc Morel, the project responds to growing demand for school places as more young families settle in the town. SYSTRA’s scope covers both the school buildings and the associated external works.

Engineering scope and technical challenges 

SYSTRA carried out the structural engineering and designed the main building services, including heating, ventilation, plumbing, power, lighting, fire safety, access control, CCTV and the building management system. 

The project also includes a building performance monitoring system. It tracks energy use and the condition of key equipment, helping to plan maintenance more effectively and control operating costs. 

An exposed prefabricated timber roof structure — a first for SYSTRA — was selected for the building. Prefabrication simplified and accelerated assembly on site, while the exposed structure is also a defining feature of the school’s architecture.

Sustainability and environmental performance

The site was selected to support the town’s future development while preserving the surrounding landscape. The building meets France’s environmental requirements for new construction, particularly for energy performance and thermal comfort. 

Local and predominantly bio-based materials were prioritised, reflecting both the character of the region and the client’s ambition to reduce the project’s environmental impact. 

The single-storey layout, low-pitched roof and building orientation have been designed to manage exposure to direct sunlight, maximise daylight and improve thermal comfort. The classrooms look out onto the wooded landscape, providing a high-quality learning environment.