Granite® Silky Shine creates a landmark medical centre in Orly

Detailed information

The centre is named after Gisèle Halimi, a French-Tunisian lawyer, activist, and politician. It consists of three levels. The ground and first floor are dedicated to patient services such as medical consulting rooms and dentistry and rehabilitation facilities. On the top floor are administration areas as well as staff areas such as changing facilities, break rooms, and an open terrace where personnel can relax in the fresh air.

Granite® creates a unique identity

The choice of cladding material was an open question at the beginning of the project. Architect Sébastien Le Letty proposed two different materials to the building’s owners: “The first was Granite® Silky Shine Chrome organic coated steel from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products. We also suggested another material which resembles finished aluminium. We showed both materials to the City of Orly and they selected Granite® Silky Shine Chrome because it is something out of the ordinary. It gives the centre a unique identity and makes it stand out from the neighbouring buildings. But the reflectivity of the material also mirrors the adjacent built environment, ensuring the centre fits into the streetscape.”

Each level is highlighted from the outside using different cladding solutions from Joris Ide. “The south and east facades are the most visible,” notes Jean-Noël Hery, Sales Manager for Joris Ide Bretagne. “The alternating use of our JI Brise 10, JI Sonora, and JI Albe 300 cladding profiles gives each level its own identity on these facades. As the north and west facades are invisible to the public, we proposed using the simpler JI Albe 300 profile to minimise cost.”

Shutters add dynamism to the facade

Louvred shutters on the south and east facades are also clad in Granite® Silky Shine Chrome. Sébastien Le Letty explains: “We wanted to give the building occupants the ability to protect themselves from the sun and from outside views. The shutter system gives the building a unique dynamic – the appearance of the centre changes depending on whether the shutters are open or closed. It creates alternating movement, and contrasts with the bends in the JI Brise 10 and JI Sonora cladding profiles.”

Design of the Gisèle Halimi Health Centre began in 2018 with construction starting in 2020. Disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in some delays, but the centre was completed in 2021. “Fast construction is one of the benefits of choosing a steel solution,” notes Jean-Noël Hery. “It is a material that allows simple and quick installation. It is also a reassuring solution for customers as it remains durable over time with little maintenance required.”

Steel offers aesthetics and versatility

Architects also appreciate these qualities notes Sébastien Le Letty: “From an architect’s point of view, steel allows great versatility in construction and has undeniable aesthetic potential. It can be matt, reflective, brilliant…the possibilities are endless. And steel is very easy to transform into cladding. This makes it a real asset for an architect.”