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Chaperon Vert

Location: Gentilly, France Date: 2017

Solution and technologies: Cladding Architect: AEC Architecture

ContextWith a thickness of only 16 mm, the elegant, durable and cost-efficient Ductal® UHPC rainscreen cladding solution has proven to be the most economical option for the 315 apartments’ renovation of the Chaperon Vert area in Gentilly.

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Description

Challenge

Under ANRU (the National Urban Renewal Agency), this renovation operation is complex as many different types of work are expected depending on the buildings. It fits within a more general framework that also encompasses redevelopment of green spaces and construction of new buildings. The project owner, OPALY, wanted to both preserve the overall consistency of the residence and develop the image of the neighborhood. The architects therefore wanted to create different architectural attitudes to give smaller quarters within the neighborhood, while keeping in mind simultaneous performance of renovation, new construction and green spaces.

One center of the North block focuses on leisure spaces with a new, understated, yet modern building and a renovation made up of protruding volumes. The second center focuses on activity spaces with an iconic new building and curved facade extensions, breaking away from the surrounding aesthetics. The owner was committed to providing a sustainable response to construction while offering high-quality homes. In the wake of the Environment Round Table (Grenelle Environnement), RT2012 (2012 Thermal Regulations) is therefore becoming the benchmark.

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Manufacturing process

Installation

Ductal® cladding panels were produced at a competitive cost using an industrial-scale process. These are casted to the dimensions specified by the architect using a 5-axis milling machine. Larger panels are made to measure.

Panels installed using concealed clamps on rails. The rails are fixed to a vertical frame, which is in turn fixed to a concrete support using brackets. All fastenings are made of aluminum.

OptimizationThe architects opted for an External Thermal Insulation (ITE) solution, which had the advantage, as well as compliance with the RT2012, of enabling work on an occupied site. From an architectural point of view, a mineral material was sought. After hesitating between a traditional concrete or Ductal® facing, the Ductal® option proved to be the most economical, particular from the point of view of implementation. The Ductal® cladding panels are 16 mm thick, and therefore weigh approximately 37 kg/m², ⅓ or even ¼ of the weight of traditional concrete panels.Thanks to its large panel dimensions, the Ductal® cladding solution ensures compliance with the architect’s layout drawing.As Ductal® is not very porous, its aesthetic and mechanical durability is very high and the panels are easy to maintain and can simply be washed with water. The panels installed at street level are resistant to impact and are also treated with an anti-graffiti product.