Trade-Fair Hall in Paris

Architects:Anne Lacaton & Jean Philippe Vassal, Paris

Assistants:Marion Cadran, Emmanuelle Delage, Benjamin Dubreu, Frédéric Hérard

Structural engineers: Cesma, Bordeaux

The new trade-fair hall north of Paris constitutes the first phase of a 300,000 m² expansion. Since such spaces are only in use periodically, this new building is designed to host a variety of other events and to adhere to high environmental standards. Thus, the higher, free-span wing of the bi-partite hall can be transformed as needed; for example, an auditorium structure accommodating an audience of eight hundred to two thousand can be set up within it.

A double-skin facade made of corrugated polycarbonate sheets surrounds the steel construction and furnishes the hall with daylight and facilitates natural ventilation. In this interstitial space, which is two metres wide, climbing plants have already occupied the steel structure. During the warm months, these leaves provide additional protection from the sun by blocking out some of its rays. This greenhouse creates a buffer zone which links or separates the outer and inner zones as needed via venti-lating sashes.

In winter, warmed air is directed into the hall; in summer, the inner facade and the sun protection (aluminium-lined roller blinds in the interstitial space) remain closed during the day, while at night the cool air is allowed to flow into the hall. The watering system for the plants, the heat pump and the illuminaires are fully automated and regulated by a central system.

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This article is an excerpt from DETAIL — Review of Architecture

   

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