E...tcetera - Technal

Newsletter online
of Technal International
September 2013

Technal
E...tcetera - Technal


... WORKING

Rennes, France

Rennes, France
A glass envelope with constantly changing reflections

The Biotrial pharmacology research laboratory hired architect Jean-Pierre Meignan to design this 6000 m² building. "I created an object-architecture in such a diverse, dynamic research environment, combining discretion and protection with the spirit of discovery and openness. Every day the building feels different, depending on where you are and when. I also wanted to create a building filled with light to improve user experience." Jean-Pierre Meignan's design is a full-height glass envelope with no intermediate transoms, which required interior guardrails for the openings, initially casement windows. After seeing the drawings, Gérald Gallenne, CEO of Alu Rennais, offered an alternative solution of a window with limited opening that, he specifies, "presents several advantages: the opening acts as a guardrail and is easier to open than a casement window, plus it is much more original." Jean-Pierre Meignan agreed emphatically, and found this to be an excellent innovation in an environment dedicated to research. The 52 parallel openings were made with Technal sash profiles, and the 4000 m² facade was made with the GEODE structural sealant glazing curtain wall. The glass from the facade, a green-tinted 50/25 neutral combo Silverstar backed with clear glass, provides high performance in terms of solar comfort while interior blinds control the daylight.


Architect: J.P. Meignan Architecture
Aluminium company: Alu Rennais
Photography: Willy Berré

Rennes, France   Rennes, France
     
Rennes, France   Rennes, France
 

 
... STUDYING

Nouméa, New Caledonia
The University extension

Nouméa, New Caledonia

The department of Letters, Languages, and Humanities at the University of New Caledonia in Nouméa added a 5000 m² extension and restructured 615 m². There are two parallel buildings that follow the topography of a hill that tumbles down to the Paddon arch located to the north. The buildings are linked by walkways and wooden courtyards. Each building is protected by a second skin made of more than 300 vertical slats of fully stressed wood members, each 70 by 360 mm wide and spaced 20 and 110 cm apart. The elements are built from six laminated Scots pine parts, and each element is connected to the structure with hot-galvanised Simpsons fasteners. The structure can withstand winds of up to 250 km/h. This wooden envelope limits solar radiation without blocking natural light, and it improves ventilation in the dual aspect classrooms. Natural ventilation remains the primary form of ventilation, and air-conditioning is rarely used.
Resting on inclined posts, a concrete and glass amphitheatre whose volume is parallel to the classroom's incline extends to the west. Great care is taken in the aesthetic appearance of the north and south facades, which are made with GEODE Grid curtain walls in a silver-coloured finish. The absence of wooden sunshades and the raw concrete, which takes centre stage, hark back to the university architecture of the 1950s.


Contracting authority: University of New Caledonia
Associated architects: Jean de Giacinto Architecture Composite / Cédric Ramière (CoCo Architecture) / Philippe Jarcet
Photography: Jean de Giacinto

Find out more about GEODE Grid facade

Nouméa, New Caledonia
Nouméa, New Caledonia
 

 
... LIVING
Cotonou, Benin

Doha, Qatar
Qatar Coral chooses Technal

Twin luxury towers rise majestically from the white sand and turquoise waters of The Pearl-Qatar bay on the Persian Gulf. The contracting authority, Qatar Coral, a major player in construction in Qatar, is using this project to show that excellence in materials and quality in architecture are the foundations of a luxurious way of life in present-day Qatar. The client's representative, Mr Rabieh Abu Jawdeh of Jones & Partners, chose Technal "for its steadfast reputation and reliable support services provided by Technal Middle East. TME proved its professionalism once again by providing solutions to the specification requirements during our meetings. We have been happy to discover that the products installed are entirely satisfactory and we feel confident that we chose the right products and the right installers".
TME delivered more than 1300 TOPAZE sliding systems and windows, and approximately 1350 m² of GEODE Grid aspect facade. The sliders are up to 2.60 m high in some rooms, and some feature built-in fly screens. The TOPAZE single or double sash, bottom-hung and and fixed windows reach 2.50 m in height in some apartments. Ten windows featured domed upper frames.
Fifty single or double leaf swing doors on butt hinges were also installed.

Contracting authority: Qatar Coral
Photos: Qatar Coral

 

 
... GREEN

Surrey, England
A light-filled space protected from direct sunlight

Surrey, England

The Chelsea football club's Cobham Training Centre provides its players with a space filled with natural light that is gentle, as direct sunlight is filtered out by solar-protection glass and vertical sunshades clad in brass, found on the envelope's opaque surfaces. The north and south facades were made with the GEODE curtain wall in a horizontal frame construction to reinforce the linear appearance of the sports complex. The horizontal effect is accentuated by the metallic silver-coloured finish of the transoms, whereas the vertical mullion caps are black.
Concealed-opening sashes built into the facades provide natural ventilation.
A green roof covers the building in an east-to-west curve down to the ground. The aesthetic line and the roofing material improve the building's energy performance and the aesthetic integration of the building with the lush, green landscape of Cobham.

Contracting authority: Dean & Dyball
Architect: AFL Architects
Aluminium company: Fox Aluminium
Photography: Shaw & Shaw

Find out more about the GEODE facade

 

 
... INTERNATIONAL

Manila, Philippines
A multi-coloured skyscraper on 5th Avenue

Manila, Philippines

Construction has just been completed for this 27-storey office block designed by Esteban Y Tan & Associates. Architect Esteban Tan explains that he chose a Technal facade "because the brand offered a design that met every element of our needs and because Technal products are known for their quality and innovation. Beyond the products, we work regularly with Technal because we've always had a great partnership with great results, thanks to the technical support of Joe Sleiman, Technal general manager for Asia."
For this tower, Technal has developed a facade concept which is highly appreciated in South-East Asia: the American-design Unitized facade. It is a facade made of elements manufactured with male-female profiles. The frames have 4 different profiles (instead of one for the European-design Unitized facade), and each profile has a specific function. The mullions, although thin, have excellent inertia and the transoms allow movement between the different panels. Joe Sleiman thinks that "this facade concept, working from the American model, creates wonderful opportunities for projects in the area. It also proves Technal's capacity for meeting the expectations of a market constantly searching for new architectural solutions."
Another proof of its creativity is Technal's innovative hidden openings. They are hidden from sight both inside and out, enhancing the clean, minimalist aesthetics. This aesthetic, which is dear to architect Esteban Tan, takes on a playful air with the use of coloured glazing randomly distributed over the facade's 14,500 m². To complete this unusual design, LED ribbons integrated in the facade give the project a resolutely futuristic touch.


Architect: Esteban Y Tan & Associates on behalf of Arquitechtonica
Aluminium company: Manila Technical Systems Co.
Photos: DR?Technal

 

Find out more about the GEODE facade

 

 
... EVENT

Technal in trade shows

In Europe and in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, Technal's ambition is clear: provide architects and consultants with innovative architectural solutions in answer to the great environmental, economic, and human challenges. This ambition is expressed in trade shows on architecture and construction, where Technal sits well with life-size products that meet the needs of the relevant regions.
Installed in the most visible locations within the trade shows, Technal's stands have a strong brand image that recalls the values of comfort, aesthetics, innovation, energy management, and so on. The Technal stand is also a place of privilege where Technal's sales team can meet with clients and designers.

Technal in trade shows

Last November, Technal caught the attention of the Big 5 Show 2012 visitors in Dubai, which is the Middle Eastern equivalent of Batimat.

Technal in trade shows

Barcelona's Construmat show drew more than 1000 professionals last May.

Technal in trade shows

Technal will present the following innovative products in Batimat in November:
• The new motorised SOLEAL Move frame.
• The new SUN ACTIVE COLOR joinery concept with temperature-sensitive changing colours.
• The AIR ACTIVE DOOR with its active seal that inflates when closed and deflates when open.

Technal will also be present here:
- Acetech in Mumbai in October.
- Archibat in Ivory Cost with ADS, a Techal distributor.
- Glasstek Asia in Kuala Lumpur in November.

 

 

... EVOLUTION

The SOLEAL casement window
Designed for architects with looks and performance in mind

The SOLEAL casement window

The SOLEAL casement window

The SOLEAL casement window is a universal response to the needs of architects. It offers design and performance that will fit with any project. The SOLEAL concept effectively relies on two types of openings – visible opening and minimal opening – and two modules – 55 mm and 65 mm.

SOLEAL can be used to make 1- and 2-sash windows and patio doors, integrated or overlapping assemblies, fixed-light frames, with overpanels or side fixed, Italian and awning window.
SOLEAL 65 can also be used to make windows that tilt and slide, turn, or pivot.
The patio windows are also offered with thresholds for disabled access.

 

The SOLEAL casement window

Thermal, wheather and acoustic performance:
• Uw up to 1.2 W/m².K, Sw =0.41 and TLw = 0.54 with triple glazing (Ug = 0.6 + warm edge).
• Very low air permeability in compliance with 2012 thermal regulations: Q4 up to 0.058m3/(h.m²).
• Excellent acoustic performance: up to 40 dB (RA,Tr) of acoustic reduction.

 

 

 
... EDITION

brochures TECHNAL

Download the SOLEAL Casement 55 and 65 brochure here.

 

 

 

 

 
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