#beuvron

VMZINC & FAÇADE

The Bouvron cultural center has one important distinguishing feature: “the building is named... after zinc! Horizinc is a mix between concrete and zinc” explains the project architect, Michel Roulleau. The building houses a reception room and a hall with tiered seating for cultural events, both these independent functions being

intended for the associations in the town.  This emblematic building stands out in the landscape and is the only construction on a wide tract of land located on the edge of town. Its aesthetics were worked out by and with zinc material: “we built the facade with the different tones of zinc, which play with the light throughout the day and give a kinetic effect”.  The zinc cladding also unifies the two buildings which are separated by a porch.

Environmental standards

The building was constructed according to the HQE approach (French approach aimed at improving the environmental and sanitary performance of buildings) respecting certain specific target areas: solar and wind energy for lighting, air exchange and thermal comfort provided by an underground heat exchanger, external thermal insulation. In this construction, the zinc skin plays its role fully: “the concrete structure is insulated externally: thermal disconnection is increased by the air gap between the zinc skin installed on a wooden support and the structure enables the thermal phase shift to be increased”.

Technical focus

For this building composed of simple shapes, the standing seam was designed so as to integrate the window surrounds harmoniously into the facade. Technically, the most important feature is the continuity of the air gap at the interface between the zinc skin and the structure, which contributes to the thermal performance of the building and to the thermal comfort of its users.