Location

Marseille (13)

Architect

Garron Gautier (Marseille)
 

Designer

Malherbe Design Paris
 

Product

3D structured Cassette with expended metal infill

Mesh

AFR-RB45

Material and finish

Anodized aluminium natural tone

Date

2017

Category

FACADES
 

About this project

On 12 November 2016, the La valentine shopping centre in Marseille was inaugurated following a makeover that looked like an artistic revolution.

We helped to create the façades, which were artistically designed by the Malherbe Paris design agency. The agency wanted to dress the building in a draped case animated by lively lighting and changing colours. This theoretical artistic choice had to be translated into a technical solution that could be implemented within a limited budget. Our role was to develop a concept that met the requirements of the project, to create the undulating façades from a stretched metal (expanded metal) chosen by Malherbe Paris.

It was a tough job, because we wanted to achieve deep relief and a random configuration.

To achieve this, we built boxes measuring 1100 x 3200 mm. Each is made up of a frame and a sheet of expanded metal (AFR-RB45 mesh), made to measure so that they can be welded together. A number of different types of box have been developed so that they can be joined together like jigsaw pieces to create a continuous 3D envelope.

In view of the result, the technical challenge imagined by Malherbe Paris has been met.

What has been said in the press: http://www.laprovence.com/article/edition-marseille/4188269/centre-valentine-cest-reparti-pour-30-ans.html

Photos: Laurent Lebreton