School group

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Lamentin's school group, located on Rue du Square on the island of Basse-Terre in Guadeloupe, is an emblematic example of Art Deco architecture in the French Antilles. Designed by the architect Ali Tur, it is one of the first buildings built of reinforced concrete in the region, marking a break with traditional Creole techniques and styles. This choice of materials and design reflects the modernization of public infrastructure in the 1920s and 1930s, when Guadeloupe underwent significant urban and administrative transformations. The building, classified as historical monuments on 8 June 2017, is part of a larger administrative urban complex in Lamentin.

The school group is distinguished by its U-shaped structure, with a base and a central two-tiered part. Ali Tur applies its characteristic architectural principles: rounded piles, a full railing on the floor bearing the inscription "School group" in letters cast in concrete, and an original fence consisting of square poles surmounted by a ball embedded in a horizontal cross. These elements, combined with a stylistic homogeneity, make it a rare testimony to the architectural innovation of the period in Guadeloupe. The building also illustrates the influence of European artistic movements, such as Art Deco, on French ultramarine territories during the inter-war period.

The protection of the school group in 2017 underlines its heritage importance, both for its architecture and for its role in Lamentin's educational and urban history. The classification covers the entire building, as defined in the protection order, as well as its distinctive elements such as fence and concrete inscriptions. This monument is part of a broader dynamic of valuing the heritage of the 20th century in Guadeloupe, highlighting achievements often unknown but significant to understand the evolution of the Antillean urban landscapes.

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