The Lem+ agency hands
over the renovated façades for the Henri Wallon primary school in Montreuil,
France.
Apart from the asbestos treatment, the project provides
for improved thermal performances and
summer comfort, as well as the provision of access for
the disabled. The building dates back to the
1960s: two upper levels over a ground floor, 64 metres
long and 18 metres wide. The building has
simple proportions and uses a concrete post and beam
structural grid and hollow block floor slabs.
The façades are dictated by the grid. For reasons
of thermal insulation and deadlines
(occupied site), the constructive choice of new,
high performance façades was guided towards the use of site-assembled
prefabricated wooden panels.
The design of the new façades is based on a system of
prefabricated panels that rise up over the height of the two upper levels
(height: 7.1 metres) and use the existing 1.75 metre grid.
The new factory-manufactured façade panels take the
form of timber framed units provided with
rockwool insulation placed between the uprights and
an external finish using varnished multi-ply panels. The glazed casements
(solid plywood) are surface-mounted onto the structure.