A comprehensive refurbishment of the iconic 1973 Jean Prouvé building, featuring its distinctive aluminium-clad facade.

Located in the Grenelle district of the 15th arrondissement of Paris, Orion has undergone extensive facade refurbishment. The building, inaugurated in 1973, features atypical and innovative facade architecture, designed by Jean Prouvé. The building is composed of opaque facades made from prefabricated panels which incorporate external strips made from bent aluminium sheet. These narrow strip modules curve around the corners of the building.

The project has high environmental ambitions and is rooted in continuity, discreetly integrating the performance requirements of a 21st-century facade within the original architectural expression. We undertook thorough analysis and inspection of the existing facades, which resulted in a proposal to conserve the strip cladding system and repair the hidden steel support structure. The aluminium strips were carefully dismantled, inventoried, and their natural anodised surface was restored, bringing back its lustre and corrosion resistance.

To respect the original design intent, the new window frames had to be curved. The tight radius of 250mm and the requirement for thermal separation between interior and exterior frames made the task challenging. Extensive discussions were held with system manufacturers from the earliest design stages.

The major challenge of the project was combining these new elements with the restoration of the existing facade fabric while adhering to a very tight design and construction schedule. Our approach allowed for a refurbishment that is both heritage-driven and environmentally conscious.

Location
Paris, France

Client
PariSeine

Architect
& GIVRY