Météor Building: A modern landmark thanks to the spangly look of ArcelorMittal metallic coated steel

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A symbolic gateway

At almost 28 metres in height, the Météor towers have created a landmark for the regeneration of Saint-Nazaire.

Each building comprises seven levels of office space which is occupied by local and regional government departments. With a total of 1500 m2 of floor space, the towers can accommodate more than 400 people.

Metallic coated steel: Highly reflective...

The use of metallic coated steel cladding was specified by the project’s architects, Blanchard Marsault Pondevie. “We chose this coating because it is a material that plays subtly with the light as it constantly changes throughout the day and the seasons,” explains architect Jean-Claude Pondevie. “It has helped to create a building which is unique, unpretentious and very refined.” Around 3000 m2 of metallic coated steel was required to clad the two Météor towers, making them visible from a considerable distance.

Part of ArcelorMittal’s aesthetic range of flat carbon steels, this metallic coated steel offers a one-of-a-kind finish which is specifically tailored for modern and contemporary facades. With between 1000 and 1800 spangles per square decimetre, this makes the difference between a unique and a remarkable building.

... and remarkably long-lasting

The spangly look of this metallic coated steel comes from its alloy coating which is comprised of 55% aluminium, 43.4% zinc, and 1.6% silicon. This alloy combination ensures the sparkle will persist for many decades.

The steel also has outstanding resistance to corrosion, even in the highly corrosive maritime environment found in Saint-Nazaire. ArcelorMittal is so confident this coating's ability to withstand corrosion that for applications in the construction sector we back the AZ185 coating with a 25-year guarantee!

With the landmark Météor towers in place, attention has turned to the further development of the 30 hectare Villes-Gare site. Between now and 2020, the plan calls for the addition of housing and offices within a 400 metre radius of the railway station. All new buildings on the site will comply with the BBC (low-energy building) standard, which is now the standard in France.