Last year, the German city of Mülsen - just a few kilometres from the birthplace of legendary car brands Horch, Audi, and Trabant - became home to the country’s most modern kart racing track, Arena E. Built using ArcelorMittal steel, the track is operated by the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club (ADAC) with former kart racer Kevin Illgen as managing director.

Multiple uses

The 18-hectare site offers motorsport enthusiasts a place to do laps with karts and pocket- and mini-bikes. ADAC also envisages the racetrack being used by the Zwickau University of Technology for research driving and testing.

High visibility for our steel

ArcelorMittal Construction Deutschland supplied various products for the construction of the complex:

• 1003BM sandwich panels in the colours AM 7016 (anthracite) and AM 9006 (white aluminium)
• flat sheets (in the same colours)
• 135/310 supporting shells

Our sandwich panels were used to build the facade of the indoor karting hall; the start-finish tower, which meets the most modern requirements and houses the race office, speakers, and timekeeping system; and the central building complex, comprised of reception and conference rooms, catering, and the race hall. Our flat sheets were used to build the folded parts, and our supporting shells - supplied by our Brehna plant - were used in the roof construction.

Overall, the functional units, cladded with anthracite panels and separated by silver sandwich panels, match perfectly with the colour of the track creating a coherent visual environment.

Arena E will host up to 18 racing events a year, helping to showcase our steel to international audiences.

Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Constructalia

Images:
ArcelorMittal

Related link(s)

Arena E kart racing track

Arena E indoor track

Arena E complex and track

Arena E

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.”

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

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications, Constructalia
Images: Bacacier

Related link(s)

Ateliers 3S's New York® reflects the skyline of the Big Apple’s main districts.

The Floirac project uses a mix of three complementary shades from Ateliers 3S’s Cadence® range.

Elements from the Starck® range can be mixed and matched. Company headquarters by architect Jean-Malo Neroli.

The Starck® range gives architects a toolbox of solutions. Hardware store by architect Alain Boudet.

Julien Faisandier, Managing Director of Ateliers 3S

Floirac project from Ateliers 3S with Granite®

The random ribs of Cadence® give each building in the Floirac project a unique look.

Floirac project

An impressive sculpture by Belgian artist William Roobrouck has been installed on a roundabout in the Belgian seaside town of Knokke-Heist. Known as ‘Proud,’ the sculpture features the stylised profile of a woman. “It’s based on a real person,” notes Roobrouck. “She is a woman from Macedonia and symbolises beauty, as well as the pride to be here in Knokke-Heist.”

The sculpture was installed in February 2020. A formal unveiling of the installation, planned for the spring, had to be abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Passionate about steel

William Roobrouck began working with steel at a very young age. “I was inspired by my grandfather. He was passionate about working with steel and being creative. I was exposed to that at a very young age and worked with him during the school holidays until I was 17.”

Now a full-time artist and sculptor, Roobrouck is inspired by nature. His creative process is very spontaneous as he explains: “I don’t sit at a table drawing plans. It begins with an idea which is usually a reaction to my thoughts, feelings, or nature. From that idea I create a digital model and then 3D print it. That gives me a visual form of the work which I use to create the life-sized version.”

Roobrouck works mainly with Indaten® weathering steel from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products. “The finish of Indaten® is beautiful,” says Roobrouck. “Over time it develops an orange/brown patina which protects the steel from corrosion. It’s very organic.”

About Indaten®

Indaten® is a structural steel with excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion, thanks to its protective and adhesive patina which evolves with time and the effects of the environment. Over time, the steel surface develops a beautiful purplish brown patina which acts as a protective armour for the steel.

William Roobrouck exhibition showcases the beauty and flexibility of Indaten®

A recent exhibition of works by William Roobrouck demonstrated the beauty and possibilities of Indaten® weathering steel from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products. “Indaten® is one of my favourite materials – it’s a product of nature,” notes Roobrouck. “As well as being beautiful and strong, the steel can be formed in a lot of different ways. And it’s easy to recycle!”

The exhibition was held at the Art Center Horus in Latem (near Ghent, Belgium) in October 2019. Although the exhibition has closed, some works remain on display at the gallery. Roobrouck notes that the best time to see them is at night: “When they are lit by an orange light, you see the multi-faceted nature of the Indaten® finish. It’s warm and gives the viewer a very positive feeling.”

More info: artcenterhorus.com

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications, Constructalia
Images: marijkethoen.photography & William Roobrouck
Video: Art Center Horus - Latem

Related link(s)

Video: installation of 'Proud' and interview with William Roobrouck (in Dutch)

The final piece of the sculpture is lifted into place

Sculptor William Roobrouck in front of 'Proud'

'Proud' dominates the flat coastal landscape

Sculptor William Roobrouck was actively involved in the installation of 'Proud'

'Proud' is formed from Indaten® weathering steel supplied by ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products

Over time, the patina of the Indaten® weathering steel develops to become a rich orange/brown

‘Me, myself, and I’ was shown in Rotterdam (the Netherlands) before moving to the exhibition in Latem

‘Me, myself, and I’ was shown in Rotterdam (the Netherlands) before moving to the exhibition in Latem

‘Désir Perceptible’ expresses the longing many couples have for a child

‘Proud’ on show outside the Art Center Horus

'Proud’ was installed at a roundabout on the A11 in Knokke-Heist during February 2020