BUDIN DAYCARE, Paris, France

• •  Budin Daycare
  
• •  Location: 15, rue Budin, Paris, France
  
• •  Year: 2012
  
• •  Architect: ECDM Architects
  

It has been chosen titanium white Ductal® with organic fibres to construct 520 sq mt of undulating façade. The building is the first to incorporate wall insulation from the outside using Ductal®.
Associated with integral insulation, this ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has enabled the construction of a unique, extremely durable and lightweight façade that is both waterproof and energy efficient, with also improved thermal efficience.
Composition of the façade:

• •  68 Ductal® prefabricated panels
  
• •  Thickness: 3cm layer of Ductal® + 20cm of insulation (expanded polystyrene)
  
• •  Interior finishing: 5cm of rockwool + 1.3cm of tapered-edge plasterboard
  The largest panels measure 2.08m x 4.30m and weigh up to 1ton.
  Produced in partnership by the French precaster Bonna Sabla and the Italian company Il Cantiere. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Prefabrication of the façade:
  To produce the elements on the right-hand side only two molds were necessary (20cm depth), while for the two corners (made of four panels) were required two specific molds.
  Insulation and openings were inserted at the time of molding, to enable the panels to be produced in one single operation. A dummy, attached to the bottom of the mould, was the exact image (shape, size and location) of the secondary component that would be inserted into the prefabricated element. Ductal® was cast around it. Finally, a polystyrene counter-mould was inserted and, by pressure, forced the Ductal® to spread over a thickness of 3 cm and up, around the windows and sides of the panel. The opening, created to the exact size of the window, enabled its installation on site without reworking. After 24 hours (drying time), the panel was removed from the mould and, after a few days of curing, ready to be delivered.
  
  Installation of the façade:
  To create the façade, the Ductal® panels (each self-supporting), were assembled together. The lower panels were supported on the concrete threshold, while the upper panels were fitted above, supported and hung 5cm from the noising of the slab to prevent thermal bridging. A sealing strip was fitted between each element to enhance the façade’s air and watertightness. It was then completed by Ductal® copings (sealing and protective elements) at the top of a wall.