VENISSIEUX CENTRAL MEDIATHEQUE. Dominique Perrault 1997-2001

El Croquis N.104

VENISSIEUX CENTRAL MEDIATHEQUE 

Architect: Dominique Perrault (Paris)

1997-2001

The Mediatheque in Venissieux acts as a new centre of integrated functions for the residents of the town and for visitors.

A key element of the project is the large hall that houses all of the public functions. It consists of a simple spatial structure with corrugated sheet cover resting on 16 concrete screens integrated into the plan layout. The special attraction is the play of light in conjunction with the transparency of the facade, which is made possible by a double glazing in which chamber profiles were integrated into U perforated aluminium sheet.

Longitudinal Section. BD Online.

Ground Floor Plan. BD Online.

Between the main space and the facade of the building, there is a zone of circulation of 3m wide that allows access to the main room from all directions without the need to change your "interior life". 

The facade is possibly the most attractive part of the building. From the exterior it seems totally opaque from the daylight, like a box of aluminium even though it permits the exterior sight from the interior. At nighttime, the building illuminates from the inside. This play of light happens thanks to the double insulation, in which in the intermediate camera is fixed aluminium sheets which are bent in the form of "U" which function to protect from the sun and to prevent sight from the exterior. These sheets are perforated which allows the translucency. The light inclination of the facade also contributes to the play of transparency

Facade from exterior. perraultarchitecture.com

Facade from interior. perraultarchitecture.com

Glowing facade at night. archrecord.construction.com

Glowing facade at night. www.flickr.com/photos/alexislecole

5. Galvanized Steel ceiling. 0.75mm.  6. Connecting plate for adjustment. 90/5mm. 9. Composite glass for security. 11mm. 10. Simple security glass. 8mm. 11. Lined and Perforated aluminium sheet.  12. Aluminium crosspiece 50/50mm with cap bolts type M8. 13. Mounting of aluminium profile 115/50mm. 14. Grating

Sources:

http://es.detail-online.com/arquitectura/temas/mediateca-en-venissieux-016793.html

Detail Magazine: Construcciones de Acero. June-July 2003. Revista 1+2/2003

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/word-on-the-street/1014489.article

Precast Concrete Façade | Perot Museum of Nature & Science by Morphosis

Perot Museum of Nature & Science by Morphosis
Dallas, Texas; 2008-2013

The example of the new Perot Museum of Nature & Science is particularly interesting in terms of latest technologies because this project is characterized by an extensive use of computer aided modelling (BIM) which did not only help the architect during the design phases but also the whole coordination that was needed in later structural calculations and construction. The use of this technology is especially noticeable in the pre-cast concrete façade, which is designed to resemble geological formation. The skin is made of 700 elements with the same overall size but with a varying texture. In order for the façade to be developed with a continuous texture between the modules, a mold system of 39 geometry families (both recessed and protruding) was studied, creating a series of 4 panel shapes in 12 patterns. The 39 mold pieces were each time assembled in different combinations, in order to cast a new panel. This systematic and computerized technique guaranteed a customized façade, delivered on time and within the budget. The concrete panels are load-bearing and fixed to the metal structure of the building.

Here there is a time-lapse of the overall construction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfMYqxWe9X0

Sources: AIA. "Perot Museum of Nature and Science. AIA TAP AWARDS 2014". Accessed January 21, 2015. https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/AIA/Citation%20-%20Perot%20Museum%20of%20Nature%20and%20Science5.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJH5D4I4FWRALBOUA&Expires=1421878949&Signature=SU3KlIZPbmuUxg2Qr3SUKC4fR4s%3D.
Collaborative Design Workflows. Accessed January 21, 2015. https://doarchworkflows2014.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/arch-421-research-project-27.jpg
SYNOSIS. Accessed January 21, 2015. https://synosis.wordpress.com/.

Stainless Steel Envelope _ FRIEM HeadQuarters by Onsitestudio

Project: FRIEM Headquarters

Location: Milan, Italy

Architects: Onsitestudio

The envelope of this project consists in a series of shaped sheets of opaque stainless steel. The texture of the steel was developed in several phases, starting with standard industrial parts like elongated, drilled and bent plates. The self-supporting elements, with a mechanical attachment at the end, have different widths and heights varying from 4 to 4.5 meters. The selected sheet of metal is AISI 304 stainless steel with a thickess of 2mm, press-formed with custom laser-cut openings where required, and a fine brushed finish. The laser-cut plates filter light at different opening degrees depending on sun exposure and the degree of intimacy desired.

The choice of the steel envelope, as well as the use of prefabricated elements assembled mainly using dry construction systems (such as the steel profiles used for the structure and the plasterboard employed for the walls), was driven by the desire to speed up and simplify the construction work, reducing the storage space of materials during the construction phase and improving the quality and preciseness of construction of the finished product.

Sources:
http://www.onsitestudio.it/projects/21
http://www.dezeen.com/2010/07/16/friem-headquarters-by-onsitestudio/
http://www.arketipomagazine.it/it/friem-headquarters-onsitestudio-srl/
http://www.theplan.it/J/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1898%3Asede-friem-&Itemid=240&lang=en