Floirac project
One recent project undertaken by Ateliers 3S saw the company supply over 20 000 m2 of panels from its Cadence® range. The material was used to clad 17 towers located in Floirac (south-west France) which accommodate 453 housing units. The panels were made from Granite® HDS in three different shades.
The project was jointly designed by TAAD Architectes and MOG Architectes. The architects’ specifications required a material which could insulate each building and give them a more modern and aesthetic appearance. To minimise disruption to residents, the Cadence® panels were fixed to a complex wooden frame in the factory and then attached to the buildings. The use of prefabrication enabled the large project to be completed in just six months.
Like all steel facades, the panels are maintenance-free. Due to the high-end coatings used on the steel, the Cadence® panels are guaranteed to remain beautiful for at least 30 years.
About Ateliers 3S
Ateliers 3S provide cladding applications for architectural projects including new builds and refurbishments. As well as supplying material to major projects, Ateliers 3S also provide solutions to individuals who are extending or refurbishing their existing homes.
More info at www.ateliers3s.com
Ateliers 3S - Downtown chic with Granite®
Ateliers 3S create contemporary looks for urban areas with ArcelorMittal organic coated steels. Bacacier is a leading supplier of steel roofing, cladding, and flooring applications for industrial and commercial buildings in France. In 2012, the company created a new entity – Ateliers 3S – to work closely with architects who were building or refurbishing buildings in the centres of cities around Europe. Using organic coated steels from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, Ateliers 3S have developed a range of signature products specifically for the urban environment. One of the latest is the New York® range which allows architects to play with shapes and shades using a ‘toolbox’ of solutions.
Inspired by Phillipe Starck
“The idea for Ateliers 3S came when Jean-Christophe Vigouroux, CEO of the parent company Bacacier, met France’s best-known contemporary designer – Philippe Starck – back in 2011,” explains Julien Faisandier, managing director of Ateliers 3S. “That inspired us to create the Starck® range, the first in the Ateliers 3S portfolio. The range is designed as a toolkit which allows architects to design truly unique projects. It includes an exclusive colour palette, panels in five different designs, and a range of accessories.”
Mix and match approach
From there the Ateliers 3S family grew to include Cadence® and Epure®. Like the Starck® range, these products are based on different steels from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products notes Julien Faisandier: “The exact grade we use depends on the aesthetics required by the customer, and the type of environment where the building is located. We use a lot of Granite® HDS and HDX, particularly in metallic colours.”
The Cadence® range includes 11 profiles with squared standing seams and 11 profiles with triangular seams. The products can be mixed and matched to create a specific design. The finish of these panels can be very tactile thanks to the use of ArcelorMittal products such as Granite® Quartz.”
The Epure® range is a standing seam solution from Ateliers 3S and utilises Granite® Storm from ArcelorMittal. It gives architects four zinc colour options and standing seam panels in four different widths. The colours and widths used on a facade can be mixed to create repeating or random patterns of seams and/or colours.
The latest in the series is New York® which represents a real change for Ateliers 3S. “New York® uses a special folding technique and allows architects to play with shapes and shades,” says Julien Faisandier.
Product consistency and support highly valued
The consistency of ArcelorMittal’s offer is a key consideration for Ateliers 3S notes Julien Faisandier: “When we send a sample to an architect, it can take 18 months for them to place an order. During this period, it is critical that the aesthetics of the steel do not change. ArcelorMittal’s ability to produce consistent products – sometimes years apart – is something we value greatly.”
Throughout the development of the Ateliers 3S family, the company has had a lot of support from ArcelorMittal’s Global R&D teams explains Julien Faisandier: “They provide a wealth of samples and advice at every stage in our development cycle. For example, ArcelorMittal helped with the saline tests we needed to conduct before the products could be placed on the market. We also appreciate the availability of the sales and technical teams, particularly when it comes to testing new steels.”
Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications, Constructalia
Images: Bacacier