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Pilot Training Center

Construction of a pilot training center for the French Air and Space Force.

To support the transformation and modernization of Air Base 125 Istres Charles Monier, our teams have been commissioned to design a new training center that will house MRTT flight simulators. As a strategic hub for air transit, this large-scale base is a unique and historically significant site at the heart of the French Air and Space Force’s operational activities.*

The specific challenges of the sector, the local climate conditions, and the operational needs of the teams have all played a key role in shaping the project’s design. The facility will include simulator rooms, classroom-style training spaces, and administrative offices, all integrated within the industrial and technical architectural language of the existing base infrastructure.

This new infrastructure represents a major milestone in the development of the base, bringing together all training resources for the 31st Strategic Air Refueling and Transport Wing (EARTS) in a single, unified location.

*Multi Role Tanker Transport

Client : ESID

Location : Istres, France

Size : 3 377 m²

Status : Delivered

Date : 2022

Key points

Air base.
Patio.
Shade canopy.
Mediterranean garden.

Download the project sheet

Intentions

Sheltered by a large sunshade that protects it from direct sunlight, the project features a clear and straightforward layout centered around a vibrant blue patio, which connects the main functional areas. This spatial arrangement ensures smooth circulation, fostering both interaction and concentration.

The Garden
The inner garden is minimalist and features Mediterranean species such as pine, cypress, and olive trees, along with a variety of aromatic plants. This dry garden allows for a sustainable and water-efficient management of natural resources.

Interior Spaces
The layout is simple and easy to understand at a glance; the building’s main functions are organized around the central patio. Wide corridors ensure smooth and intuitive circulation, fostering both interaction and focus for the pilots who come to train.

The project is built around a large patio planted with local Mediterranean species, sheltered under a vast shade canopy.

Summer Comfort

Light whose contrasts are particularly strong in this region—was a key element in both the building’s functionality and aesthetic. The relationship between the interior and exterior is modulated through varying volumes and openings. In contrast to the solid outer façades, those facing the patio are largely glazed and open onto the inner garden. Taking advantage of the northwesterly wind that flows beneath the sunshade, the windows enable natural cooling of the training center’s interior spaces. The patio’s vegetation also creates a welcome microclimate, with air circulating from façade to façade naturally enriched with refreshing humidity.

The reinforced concrete structure and exposed hollow-core slabs contribute to the building’s thermal inertia and nighttime cooling. A system of operable high-level windows allows for natural cross-ventilation. This bioclimatic approach reduces energy consumption and enhances occupant comfort.

Team

Patriarche (Architecture, All-trades Engineering, Environmental Quality, Cost Management)
Partners: Gamba

Credits

Programme

Education

GenoLife & Cube

Terrou-Bi Hotel