- Brenac & Gonzalez
Nexity Regional Headquarters - Lyon Vaise
Nestled between the green hills of La Balme and the Saône River, on a triangular uneven plot stands an ultramodern, high-tech and energy-efficient building. The new Nexity regional headquarters (located in the ZAC de l’industrie) bends and undulates, playing with the terrain’s restrictions rather than succumbing to it.
The uniqueness of the project, designed by the architectural firm BRENAC & GONZALEZ and Associates, is underlined by the three interconnected buildings, with two interior gardens and the building at the end of the plot, which looks like the bow of a boat. The structural glazing makes it almost transparent, allowing it to be absorbed by the environment. "The ConceptWall 50 curtain wall system allowed us to meet the precise and pronounced geometric requirements of the façades, as well as the environmental standards for new constructions," says architect Jean-Pierre Lévêque.
Adaptable design
The façades feature a metallic framework with distinctive folds accentuated by vertical reglets. The façade's rust-like hue draws inspiration from the industrial heritage of the district. Depending on the movement of the observer and/or the sun, the building is constantly changing. The colour of the aluminium structure evolves from orange-brown weathering steel to extremely warm, coppery colours.
The ConceptWall 50 curtain wall system made it possible to meet the requirement for very precise and extremely pronounced façade geometry. The 5.40-metre grid on the ground floor rises skywards, followed by a 2.70-metre grid from the ground floor upwards, and finally a 1.35-metre grid on the top floor. A series of 30-centimetre-deep aluminium spines provide the façade with rhythm and texture, thanks to the play of projected shadows.
Sustainable result
Severe constraints in terms of smoke extraction, natural ventilation and fire-fighting access were resolved by installing French or Italian-style windows up to 1.35 metres wide and 2.70 metres high, with opening limiters that also act as railings.
Depending on the movement of the observer and/or the sun, the building is constantly changing. The colour of the aluminium structure evolves from orange-brown to extremely warm, coppery colours.
Given the architectural expectations and the requirements in terms of dimensions and acoustic performance, Reynaers Aluminium's technical support, combined with SERALU's expertise, developed seven specific profiles: half-spines, finishing caps, a groove profile for hardware to make the operation of large windows more reliable, a wedge support and an insert profile.
As a result, the acoustic performance was adapted according to the orientation of each façade, achieving 32, 34, 37 and 38 decibels sound reduction. The building has been awarded the HQE excellence and BREEAM Very Good ratings, thanks to its intrinsic sustainable character and limited environmental impact of its components.
The building has been awarded the HQE excellence rating and the BREEAM Very Good label.
The rhythm of the facade is created by 30cm-deep aluminium spines that cast shadows to give the facade relief.
Designed and validated in the Avalon VR room
As this development was in progress at the start of the COVID pandemic, the project was able to benefit from the power and relevance of the Avalon virtual reality room, located at the Reynaers Group headquarters in Belgium. As David Emaille, Regional Sales Director Reynaers Aluminium France North-West explains: “This software was designed to create a realistic, collaborative environment. We were able to complete the technical design and validation phases of the ‘Lyon Vaise’ project thanks to this simulator.” Avalon helps visualize and evaluate designed projects before they are even built. An immersive 3D experience, helping architects, investors and contractors bring their ideas to life.
In the end, architecture should always serve practical purposes. In every project, numerous factors must be considered. The location and orientation of the site are significant influences on design, but the program and intended uses are the fundamental reasons for a building's existence. “An office building, at its core, is about facilitating daily activities. Therefore, the true value of architecture lies in its ability to enhance and support these everyday functions”, concludes Jean-Pierre Lévêque.
Used systems
Involved stakeholders
Architect
- Brenac & Gonzalez
Fabricator
- Seralu
Photographer
- Sergio Grazia
