Belles Feuilles
Nestled in Paris’ 16th district and only a stone’s throw away from the famous Eiffel Tower, you find Belles Feuilles. What is now a modern eyecatcher, completely up-to-standard with safety, accessibility and environmental performance, was once a brutalist building of a former cement firm. A story about a complex renovation project, balancing budget, coherent aesthetics and functionality, told by architect Christian Sbeih from DTACC.
Tight budget
“Given the budget, our challenge for a project of this scale was to define and select the right technical solutions, decorative elements and curtain walling. Furthermore, we had to seamlessly merge two distinct structures into a unified entity”, explains the architect.
By maintaining the building’s original structure, the building partners could assure financial efficiency and also facilitate the building’s certification in various environmental and energy standards, including HQE Excellence, BREEAM Very Good, and the BBC Effinergie Rénovation label.
Glass façade improving daily comfort
One of the noteworthy aspects of the project was the focus on improving daily comfort and interaction with the environment, by creating new gardens on multiple floors, as well as offering accessible green roofs. Such spaces of retreat and relaxation for occupants emphasize themes such as connectivity and fluidity within the building.
Belles Feuilles’ entrance is flanked by expansive glass façades, which lead into a multifunctional service area including dining facilities, coworking spaces, and fitness amenities. The glass building envelope showers these spaces in natural light, almost bringing the outside indoors.
Revitalizing a building from the 1990’s can be quite a challenge; but not for DTACC. “The vast majority of our projects focuses on existing buildings”, explains architect Christian Sbeih. “Our work includes changing how people use a building by transforming, raising, modifying, extending or updating any structure to meet current regulations and standards, all while honouring the original architecture. More specifically for Belles Feuilles: we aimed to maintain the building’s structural integrity while introducing a new external envelope that redefines its character.”
This renovation project demonstrates how cutting-edge materials and creative design can enhance architectural heritage within metropolitan areas. Reynaers Aluminium played a pivotal role in providing solutions that elevated the building’s façade. “Now, the building stands as a modern Parisian architectural statement and resonates with the city’s remarkable building style”, says Sbeih.
"Reynaers Aluminium supports you in every step of the building process, with 60 years of expertise and a vast network of professional partners."
High-quality solutions
Along the Rue Belles Feuilles, ConceptWall 60 and ConceptWall 86 façade solutions by Reynaers Aluminium let in plenty of natural daylight and even allow for passive ventilation. The trusted aluminium systems provide excellent thermal insulation, while the wider profiles are a perfect choice to create expansive glass surfaces, as demonstrated by the building’s façade.
On the Rue Émile Ménier side, at the rear of the building, the refurbishment features ThermoSystem 68-Hidden Vent windows, a French Reynaers Aluminium solution. These subtle opening elements are indistinguishable from the outside, reinforcing the vibratory and continuous look of the entire building façade.
The project was faced with some financial constraints, which added another layer of challenge to the project. However, with the help of Bysteel, a Portuguese manufacturer of glazed façades, Belles Feuilles could adhere to its budgetary limitations while achieving the desired high standards of quality and sustainability. A true win-win for all partners involved!
By maintaining the building’s original structure, the building partners could assure financial efficiency and also facilitate the building’s certification in various environmental and energy standards, including HQE Excellence, BREEAM Very Good, and the BBC Effinergie Rénovation label.
Used systems
- TS 68-HV
