Le Poinçonnet Multi-generational Centre: a facade like autumn foliage with Indaten® weathering steel

Detailed information

The Multi-generational Centre, Odakim, was designed as an open place for all generations - a place to meet, to exchange, and to create. As the town's entertainment hub, it plays a vital role in the community and connects the inhabitants of all generations. It offers activities and events not only for the town's youth and senior citizens, but also for families and different associations.

Opened in 2012, the buildings offers 600 m2 of usable space on three levels and was built in compliance with high environmental quality standards (French HQE). The Odakim's design and internal organisation was conceived to fully comply with the requirements of its functions. The centre comprises seven activity spaces, including an open grand hall, a space for youth, and two rooms dedicated to artistic activities. Odakim also offers a museum space with minerals and ancient tools, two rooms for associations, a secured meeting and exhibition room, and a reception and support area.

Architectural design

The Multi-generational Centre is built into a green slope in the town centre close to the city hall. From street level, an access ramp winds up to the main entrance in a dynamic fashion. The curves of the mainly organic shaped volumes stand in clear contrast to the straight lines of the building's envelope. The roof cantilevers over the main facade, supported by an ensemble of three slender steel tubes. The glazed part of the main facade is protected from the sun by a structure of steel bars with different lengths.

The facade is made of weathering steel, glass, and wood.  Weathering steel offers exceptional longevity and it is, like all steels in construction, fully recyclable. With its different shades of brown, the weathering steel resembles the autumn foliage and also refers to the town's history from the 17th to the 19th century that was marked by ironwork.

The mirror effect of the processed glass in different green tones creates a perfect harmony with the natural brownish colours of the steel, the wood, and the building's surroundings. Wood prevails in the building's interiors, but materials, coatings and, lighting are adapted to the requirements of each room.

ArcelorMittal steel: aesthetic cladding products for facades

ArcelorMittal supplied Indaten® weathering steel for this project which is assembled in Coque MD panels. These panels, part of ArcelorMittal Construction's aesthetic cladding product range, were specially developed for weathering steel as the transformation possibilities of this material are limited due to its characteristics. The panels are fixed invisibly on support rails connected to the building's load bearing structure.