Used as a warehouse of materials required for the research activity, the span 19 has undergone a complete renovation, from a shed non-insulated to a low energy building (BBC). This was an opportunity to implement the expertise of Saint-Gobain for thermal renovation.

STRATEGY OF THE VACUUM
Building an innovation center supposed to imagine a sufficiently soft and flexible space to accommodate the presentation of what would be novelty in the future. By definition, innovation is resolutely turned towards the future and such a center must be open and reconfigurable.

The majesty of the volume released from the ship led us to retain much empty space, without built-in function. The central space is available and easily appropriable for temporary events or subsequent developments.

ROUTE IN TRAVELING
To accommodate the different actors of the habitat (architects, consultants, developers, manufacturers, institutions) for targeted visits required to create rhythms and course in different environments. Taking advantage of 11 meters Ridge, the spaces are organized on three levels. A large wall of inspiration, whose form is a homotéthie of the span, articulates on one side the entrance with the airlock and on the other side the 3D projection room overhanged by a mezzanine where one discovers the entire nave. A lateral passageway can reach the soluthèque, which extends at the second level with a salon nestled in the assemblies of the existing structure. The workspace (office and meeting room) are perched on stilts and open to the sky.

GREY-WHITE-RED
The performance of thermal insulation envelope results in a double inner skin in a light gray tone, on which stand out in pure white the volumes of the workspaces.

This subtle harmony contrasts with a deep red at both ends of the building. They are tint ereas from floor to ceiling to dramatize the space and focus attention: In the entrance, it is a case to be lost endlessly in the proliferation of light entertainment. In the soluthèque, it is a panoramic framework to discover the extent of the Saint-Gobain skills.

GAMES FRAMEWORK
We chose to build in wood structure in line with the existing structure enhanced by a single blast. A colorless glaze assumes added new elements, posts and rafters of the passageway. For each of the new built elements, the same set of rules : do not disturb the integrity of the farms structure.

RENOVATION/ OBJECTIVE LOW-ENERGY BUILDING
Attaining an optimal level of comfort in the summer without installing an active cooling plant was one of the primary objectives in the transformation from uninsulated hangar to a highly efficient BBC building.To begin with a high level of both attention and precision in all phases was required to develop and insure the continuity of thermal insulation placed on the interior of the building. In order to obtain a high level of thermal performance, it was essential to reduce thermal loss to a minimum. Attention was therefore focused on avoiding thermal bridges and insuring the airtightness of the envelope.

KEY DATA :
Surface SHON : 1 550 m²
Dimensions : 50 m x 22 m
Performance : 60 kw/m²/an
Study : 15 months
Construction work : 8 months
Delivery : 2011, october 3rd
Works budget : 3 000 000 €

PROGRAM :
The innovation center Domolab contains :
– A 3D projection room
– Meeting rooms
– A wall of inspiration which combines innovations and historical sights
– A soluthèque with samples of products and materials
– Four modules for immersion

TEAM :
Client : SAINT GOBAIN Recherche
Team : Gabriel Marly, Pauline Lavagne d’Ortigue, Jean-Marie Thouvenin, Maurice Manceau, Jean-Paul Straetmans
Client assistant : AURIS
Architect : ENCORE HEUREUX architectes
Julien Choppin and Nicola Delon, Project leader : Agathe Chiron
Economy – OPC : STUDIO AMIEL – Pierre Amiel, Alain Goujon
Acoustic study : ORYTHIE
Structure study : ERIBOIS
Plumbing and Air treatment study : SECATH
Electricity study : CAPINGELEC
Landscape architect : Florian Delon
Conception and animation airlock : 1024 architecture – Pier Schneider, François Wunschel
Graphic identity and signage : AKROE – Etienne Bardelli
«Modules» conception : LES SISMO – Antoine Fenoglio, Frédéric Lecourt, Ju Hee Park
Construction : Créatifs

BIO :
ENCORE HEUREUX has been founded in 2001 by Julien Choppin and Nicola Delon, graduated in 2002 from the Ecole d’architecture de Paris la Villette for a cultural project using the rail network.

They start our activity realizing ephemeral installations, with tight budgets and numerous restraints. In parallel they developed their graphic work (summary images, websites, graphic design) aimed at architects.

They participate in architectural competitions and worked on studies in association with Patrick Bouchain, Phillippe Madec, Jean-luc Vilmouth, Mutabilis and G-Studio. In 2006, ENCORE HEUREUX won the «Nouveaux Albums de la Jeune Architecture» awarded by the Ministry of Culture.

In 2011 they deliver our two first buildings commissioned : Petit Bain, a floating building in Paris and DomoLab, an innovation center at Aubervilliers. Two other projects are under construction : MUS, the urban and social history museum of Suresnes and CINE 32, a cinematographic complex of 5 auditoriums in Paris.

In parallel, they are working on a water kiosk in Ulaan Baator (Mongolia) for the G.N.O. Action Contre la Faim and in collaboration with the Elioth engineers (IOSIS), they develope an electric pylon/wind turbine project.
Their work is centered around creating comfort, inventing new uses and inspiring wonder. Seizing opportunities, making excuses and observing situations are equally strategies to conceptualize projects in architecture, art and design.

For us, ENCORE HEUREUX rhymes with demand and lucidity, optimism and commitment.