Pierre-Richard
Villedrouin
Architect

The cross-shaped layout of the Port-de-Paix high school was directly influenced by the pre-existing arrangement of trees on the site, which were themselves planted in a cross (or X) formation. These trees—*Azadirachta indica*, commonly known as neem—were cut down before construction began to facilitate the building process. This move shocked some, who viewed it as a symbolic violation of a sacred space. However, thanks to their exceptional vitality, the neem trees regrew rapidly; by the time construction was complete, the trees were already visible. Today, they provide natural shade and coolness to the school, reaffirming the harmony between architecture and nature.

Spatial Organization
The irregularly shaped, trapezoidal site dictated the layout of the buildings. The school’s wings consist of pavilions grouped in twos or fours, aligned along the diagonals of the trapezoid. Each pavilion houses four classrooms.
The site is divided into four quadrants:
• An open-air theater facing the archbishop's palace, allowing occupants of the religious building to watch performances from their balconies.
• An entrance and vehicle circulation area.
• A parking area.
• A recreation or sports area for students.
This layout reflects a desire to create a functional, open space that is integrated into the urban fabric. A fence was installed for security reasons, but it was designed with variations that allow views into the school grounds, thereby maintaining a degree of visual transparency with the surrounding urban area.

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Technical Innovations and Materials
A standout feature of the project is the use of fiberglass windows—a material rarely used for architectural openings at the time. This innovative choice addressed both structural and design requirements: fiberglass could be molded into contoured shapes, offering greater rigidity than traditional flat glass. It also allowed for the artistic and diffused manipulation of light.

This application was part of an ongoing approach, as the architect had already utilized the material in other projects, notably at Rue Villatte and Bathus Logos.

Collaboration and Expertise
The realization of the high school relied on a combination of rare skills:
• Stewart North, an English surveyor, played a pivotal role in the precise layout of the site. An outstanding technician equipped with a computer that was highly sophisticated for the era, he performed precise geometric calculations, particularly for the window design.
• Stewart North’s brother-in-law, an expert in metalwork, contributed to the finishing of the metal elements.
Villedrouin believes that, without this expert international collaboration, the project could not have been successfully completed.

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An abandoned Project: the ghost of Lycée des Cayes
A second project—a high school in Les Cayes—had been initiated. The foundations had been laid, and the initial layout established. However, with the fall of the Duvalier regime, the project was abandoned. The architect expresses deep regret over this failure, viewing this "ghost" as a lost opportunity for the country.
The Les Cayes project was seen as an attempt to "square the circle" due to the site's technical challenges, compounded by local tensions involving worker groups hostile to the construction work.

Conclusion
The Port-de-Paix high school is an architectural and human success, born of a compromise between nature, functionality, and a tense political climate. It embodies the perseverance of an architect forced to navigate a country where building is always an act of faith.