As five different projects by renowned architects demonstrate, a necessary technical detail such as protection from the sun can represent a design feature, one that can really leave its mark on a building. The architects collaborated with the specialists at RMIG to develop perforated sheet metal made of Corten steel, aluminum or stainless steel, as required. Depending on purpose, this made for a spectacular changing façade or simply an elegant, modern detail, as with the extension to Château de Cangé. In the latter case Dominique Blondel added glass superstructures to the roof of a 750-year-old castle near Tours, using Corten steel cladding with a light appearance. Again, the look of the slightly weathered façade elements for a library with a media center perfectly matched the old masonry, allowing the recent addition to fit in perfectly with the existing building.
Hennig Larsen’s university building in Kolding is considerably more assertive. For this modern building cladding RMIG produce 4500 m² of triangular, anodized aluminum panels which automatically adapt to the ambient light and temperature conditions, thus lending the outside of this building a
futuristic appearance.
Paul Chemetov has designed a sports complex by the name of “Vendespace” for the French departement of Vendée with a distinctive orange outer shell. The architects opted for a horizontally layered façade with a restful feel made of aluminum panels up to 11 meters in length. Here too, the architect collaborated with RMIG, using elements from the ImagePerf range and coming up with irregular perforations for the sun protection panels, thus lending the building
a striking appearance.
But RMIG’s expanded metal is also suitable for sun protection, as a school build in Horsens, Denmark, demonstrates. In this case, powder-coated aluminum elements with a varying mesh densities were used and mounted two meters away from the outside walls. This gives the various types of building, in a situation where different types of school were amalgamated to create a new building complex, its own a uniform quality.
Good light is particularly important for brainwork and studying which is why Garbit & Blondeau opted for sun protection made of perforated stainless steel for the Catholic university in Lyon. Here too, a technical detail which cuts energy consumption and makes for optimum working conditions has become a striking design feature that gives this time-honored university
a modern look. (rw)
.
Left: The Château de Cangé near Tours was carefully extended and converted into a library. Photo © RMIG
Right: The sun protection made of Corten steel by RMIG fits in very well with the fabric of the old château. Photo © RMIG
The wave-like pattern lasered into the steel was produced in collaboration with the architect. Photo © RMIG
The façade for a university building in Kolding by Henning Larsen has something of a futuristic look to it. Photo © RMIG
These triangular aluminum panels are movable. They create a lively pattern as well as providing with efficient protection from the sun. Photo © RMIG
After consultation with the planners RMIG’s ImagePerf sun protection was given an irregular pattern. Photo © RMIG
Striking façade with an idiosyncratic look: The sports complex “Vendespace” with sun protection by RMIG. Photo © RMIG
The ImagePerf aluminum panels are up to 11 meters in length and have also been provided with a pattern of irregular perforations. Photo © RMIG
The white elements made of expanded metal were mounted at a distance of two meters from the wall. Photo © RMIG
Movable elements and different mesh densities lend this school building in Denmark a varied appearance. Photo © RMIG
At Lyon’s Catholic university perforated plates of stainless steel mean that students can engage in undisturbed brainwork. Photo © RMIG
