Louis Vuitton Foundation is a unique architectonic, constructional and cultural feat located in the very heart of Paris on the border of Bois de Boulogne. The project is aimed for exhibitions as well as creation of background for contemporary artists and space for their realization.
The first idea about a Foundation and proposal of cooperation in the project came to life in 2001 when Frank Gehry met Mr. Bernard Arnault, the director of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Henessy). In August 2007 the project got a building permission, in March 2008 foundation works commenced and in September 2009 started works on a bearing structure of the building. The last stone claddings were mounted in December 2013, in February 2014 the building was handed over to the investor, in course of spring 2014 landscaping was done as well as interiors and it was opened for the public 27th October 2014.
The basic 2,6m thick slab is formed by 11000 m3 of concrete and 1900t of steel. The primary concrete and steel structure supports white walls of icebergs that mingle with glazed facades and together they create a water-proof envelope of the building. The whole building surrounded by an artificially created channel is covered by 12 glazed sails which are designed by the architect to evoke sails of a yacht stretched by wind.
Sipral took part in this project by delivering glazed facades of various geometric complexity. 42 external structures include all-glazed facades, a skylight, entrance systems and revolving doors, emergency exits, fire systems like openings for heat and smoke exhaust, fire-resistant structures, structures with high sound insulation and structures resistant against forced entry. Other two structures are placed in the interior, a glazed distorted facade separates a café from a lobby space and 17 special curved glass units increase acoustic conformity of the forum.
Straight stick-system structures consist of aluminium profiles, mullions and transoms and insulating double-glass units with a basic dimension of 1100 x 3300mm. Geometrically complex glazed structures are formed by aluminium mullions, transoms and diagonals and glass units of different forms including trapezoidal and triangular ones. Fire-rated structures consisting of steel profiles and special fire-rated glass units can resist fire up to 60 minutes.
Glazed facades grow through white cladding of the icebergs and create a water-proof envelope of the building. So called planning of installation works in 4D played an important role together with 3D designing. Thanks to precisely set up time sequence of each mounted element and mutual cooperation and respect of all suppliers the whole structure looks technically natural and all its parts play the role they are aimed for.
more information:
http://flv.sipral.cz/en/about-project
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