Project
"Atypik" Apartment Block,
Issy-Les-Moulineaux (France)
This block of 159 housing units is unusual in more ways than one. Located in a neighbourhood of the Parisian suburb of Issy Les Moulineaux that is currently being renovated (former site of the Postal Services Sorting Office), it benefits from a magnificent setting on the banks of the Seine, close to Saint Germain island, with views over the suburb of Saint Cloud and Paris. It comprises 3 vertical parallelepideds punctuated from top to bottom by partially sheltered balconies on the South facade and very open on the North facade. While the balconies on the sunny facade are protected by a perfotaed mesh, the white street-facing balconies are open and hang from a large 18-storey vertical plane in ANTHRA-ZINC, on which the staggered windows on the various floors create a simple, regular rhythm.
Client: SCCV ILE SAINT-GERMAIN (92)
Architecture studio: ATELIER 2A CHRISTOPHE CHENEY
Project management: AEF INGENIERIE
Installer: RAIMOND SAS
Surface area of the project: Approximately 10,050 m² and 56 metres in height, i.e. 18 floors
VMZINC® products: QUARTZ-ZINC® et ANTHRA-ZINC
56 metres in height, with a total of 18 floors housing 159 apartments, the building takes its place at the centre of the surrounding gardens. It alternates zinc and white mineral plaster facades, punctuated by open balconies and loggias equipped with sliding metal blinds or drapes.
The unusual use of zinc on this type of building gives rhythm and singularity to the programme designed by ATELIER 2A CHRISTOPHE CHENEY. This specific architectural expression is heightened by the choice of the VMZ INTERLOCKING PANEL SYSTEM BY VMZINC®, transformed to order and installed by contractor RAIMOND SAS.
Installed on an M0 classified metal framework, the zinc facade on the North side meets the requirements of the French fourth family Fire Safety Standards. This large plane is clad with thin horizontal strips of zinc. It is cut in three sequences, accentuated by the use of two different surface aspects. The first of these is dark ANTHRA-ZINC®, which clads the two side parts of the building. The central recessed part is covered with QUARTZ-ZINC®, which reinforces the relief of each corner and highlights verticality and cuts.
Certain windows are meticulously expanded on one side (jamb) with an ANTHRA-ZINC® plane. This original jamb, made with a single element, is an integral part of the window surrounds. It discreetly highlights the lintels and the sills. These elements, which are made to order, facilitate West-facing orientations that are a source of light and provide views over Paris.
Installed horizontally on the first sixteen floors, the interlocking panels are characterised by the width of their centre distance – 300 mm – and the 20 mm hollow joint between each element. The interlocking junction, without any visible fixing, ensures visual continuity and gives strength to the building. The lines harmoniously follow those of the white balconies, the corners and the various floors, creating uniformity on the facade from top to bottom and from left to right.
To distinguish them from the lower floors, transforming for the attics was done using vertical VMZ INTERLOCKING PANEL SYSTEMS. These two last floors, housing duplex apartments, animate the silhouette of the building with a volume detached from the facades. A harmonious combination of colours and forms in zinc, which defines the identity of the building.
