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Three buildings, one typology, each faced with a distinct context. Here’s a look at three commercial buildings by Brenac & Gonzalez & Associes, the façade of each unique and aptly contextual… Each building is adorned by a façade as intriguing as the next. Taking them one at a time: An urban poetry of city arteries, railway lines and catenaries forms the backdrop for Be Open on city block A11, Paris. A stand-alone building, the A11 building’s skin impresses upon passers-by and passengers on the train, a limitless profile, ever changing with the light and weather. Three volumetric masses – the commercial spaces, a setback main section and a slightly overhanging attic, rotated and folded, are stacked to create the entire mass of Be Open. All are cladded, a symphony of white enameled aluminum tubes, which highlight the curves and the arabesques of the assembled modules, also giving the building an evanescent character. The envelope becomes a surface of exchanges inspired from the exchanges amongst people and their flow, and protects the body. Riverside is a skilful merger of a commercial landmark and a domestic-feel facade. Faced with contrasting settings, the ring road to the north and heart of the district to the south, the volume of the office building links the different scales; the smooth transition enhanced by differing treatment of the facades. Uniform textures of a prism façade of modules of anodized aluminum and bright-annealed stainless-steel frames, which mask wooden window frames on the ring road side, give the impression of a large scale, shimmering urban landmark. The powerful identity is further accentuated by the lobby at the building’s corner. In contrast, the south-side façade is a series of wood frames and coloured solid areas, further enhanced by superimposed balconies equipped with green trellises. The renovation of the Quai Quest building, located in Boulogne-Billancourt, saw major restructuring to create a recognizable identity in the changing urban landscape and also to improve its environmental performance. Taking advantage of the site’s potential and overcoming the issues of noise, absence of sun breaks and an outmoded architectural image, the new façade system is based on a ventilated double skin of glass on the interior upon which sun-breaks are affixed. A prismatic covering takes advantage of the proximity to the river. With glass panels folded diagonally to reflect the sky and the changing cityscape, the facade plays on the perception, scale, accumulation and transparence, giving a dynamic second life to the edifice. In each of the projects, environmental efficiency takes precedence. A system of windows offering abundant natural light, and operable frames ensuring natural ventilation ensure low energy consumption. Sun breaks and retractable metal blinds for sun-exposed facades improve building performance. Brenac & Gonzalez & Associes successfully achieve impressive urban landmarks, dynamic and intriguing in form to fit the most varied contexts. check out the images of all three buildings in the facade story on indiaartndesign.com
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architecture, façade design, building skins, fenestrations, iconic architecture, high-rise buildings, building materials,
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