In Marseille, France, the newly opened Cité Scolaire Internationale de Jacques Chirac is making waves in sustainable architecture. Inaugurated in September 2024, the school features a record-breaking 5,000m² façade crafted from flax-based composites, marking the largest use of natural fibers in architectural history.

The cladding, made with ampliTex flax-fiber composites from Swiss cleantech company Bcomp, demonstrates the potential of natural materials to replace heavier, less eco-friendly options like concrete. This innovation sets a new benchmark for environmentally conscious construction.

The project is a collaboration between Bcomp, French manufacturer Temca, and renowned architects Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta. Its design merges sustainability with Marseille’s architectural identity, embracing the city’s Mediterranean heritage while redefining public infrastructure.

As a pioneering use of flax-fiber technology previously reserved for the automotive and aerospace industries, the Cité Scolaire Internationale de Jacques Chirac stands as a testament to the scalability and versatility of natural materials in large-scale construction projects.