“Architecture and Campus Life”, a photo exhibition at École Polytechnique ahead of a major renovation project

As part of the renovation project for the main building of its campus, Renov ‘X, École Polytechnique organizes a photography exhibition titled “Architecture and Campus Life,” featuring entries from a contest in which students, faculty, and staff participated.

Organized in partnership with the “Binet Photo,” École Polytechnique student association dedicated to photography, this exhibition will run from May 5 to 22, prior to the official start of construction, which is scheduled to continue through 2029.

“A campus is never just cold stone and square footage. It is a place of learning, knowledge, encounters, friendships, and debate,” emphasized Laura Chaubard, president and director of École Polytechnique, at the exhibition’s opening. 

“I believe we all have a personal connection to this central building, which has remained unchanged for so long,” she added.

Designed in the 1970s by architect Henry Pottier, these spaces have never undergone any major changes since their creation.

The photographs in the exhibition seek to capture the spirit of these historic places and reflect the diversity of perspectives and emotions of those who have walked through this building, some for many years.

Through these works, the École Polytechnique community expresses its deep attachment to its campus, celebrating the legacy of an architect whose avant-garde design has left an indelible mark on the institution’s history.

“This building embodied a vision that was bold for its time (…), that of a vessel setting out to conquer new territory alongside the pioneers of the scientific adventure in Saclay, from the CEA to CentraleSupélec.”

“Henri Pottier proposed a bold architectural move: raising the central complex to give it that sense of suspension, that elevated perspective, which science and knowledge provide; this architectural move is also embodied in those elevated walkways, those openwork metal structures, and those intertwined pillars that break with classical conventions and take us by surprise,” noted Laura Chaubard, adding: “RénovX is about passing on this legacy.”

With Rénov’X, École Polytechnique is undertaking a major renovation of its main building and research laboratories, covering an area of 24,000 square meters, at a cost of 130 million euros. This ambitious project, much like the campus’s original design, aims to adapt the spaces to current and future needs while incorporating contemporary sustainability considerations.

This infrastructure upgrade reaffirms École Polytechnique’s commitment to the ecological transition, as outlined in its 2020 Climate Plan, and will enable the school to accommodate sustained growth and the increasing internationalization of its student body.

As part of the “Architecture and Campus Life” exhibition, nine awards were presented by a jury composed of students, faculty members, staff, and Jérôme Epaillard, a professional photographer specializing in architecture.