La Timone

The rehabilitation project aims to improve the building’s energy performance through two main aspects: the façade and the heating system. The existing façade had numerous thermal bridges, particularly at the edges of the exterior slabs, and was made of poorly insulated wooden frames with single glazing, making the building highly energy-consuming. The new façade, composed of vertical aluminum curtain walls with double glazing, set back from the slab edges, eliminates these thermal bridges. The orange screen printing contributes to solar control, preventing excessive light penetration.
To meet the C+D high-rise building (IGH) requirements, a “shadow box” system was implemented at slab level, ensuring fire separation between floors while creating a mirrored effect. The upper part of the curtain walls consists of transparent operable frames, while the lower part, although visually similar, is actually a glazed fire-resistant panel. This system transforms the building’s dark image into a bright and modern structure. The canopy is also undergoing major work, including the removal of slats, repainting of both sides, and painting of the structure and façade, in coordination with the stakeholders of this existing artistic feature.

The heating system has been completely renovated, with new HVAC units installed on all floors to deliver treated air to the roof, and new ceiling cassettes replacing the old radiators. The oil boiler has been replaced with a gas boiler, and a field of photovoltaic panels is planned on the roof to complete the energy renovation package.
The construction site is organized into seven phases to maintain faculty activities throughout the work. Temporary buffer spaces have been created to relocate occupants, and a relocation expert is managing the necessary moves. To carry out this occupied-site project, a top-down approach was followed, allowing the first areas connected to rooftop equipment to be delivered early.