For this project at the Institut Supérieur Maria Montessori in Nogent, the aim was to transform the training headquarters into a welcoming and functional place that reflects the Montessori pedagogy. The intervention focuses on the complete reconfiguration of the work and training areas.

The existing rooms have been enlarged and organised to accommodate the various functions of the centre: reception, classrooms, workspaces and relaxation areas. The new multifunctional hall becomes in turn canteen, cafeteria and activity room, offering a large, bright and adaptable space that encourages informal exchanges between trainees and trainers.

The project seeks to create spaces that are both playful and calming, echoing the world of Montessori nurseries for which the institute trains professionals. Wooden furniture, light tones and warm materials shape understated yet welcoming atmospheres, where every element is designed at child’s height: fluid circulation, floor play areas, and low storage units to foster independence.

The reception area has been completely redesigned to offer a warm first impression, with a wooden desk, a graphic mural and touches of greenery that humanise a conventional office building. Service areas – staff kitchen, technical rooms – have been optimised without being hidden, in order to support the day‑to‑day functioning of the place. This project reflects SWD Architecture’s commitment to putting people at the centre, by designing training spaces that embody the values they seek to transmit.