| Architecture |
A glass cone signing the alliance of ecology and design
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Designed by architects Dan S. Hanganu and Eric Gauthier (the FABG architects), the headquarters of the “Cirque du Soleil” circus, located in the Saint-Michel neighborhood of Montreal, Canada, saw itself grow a third wing in 2007 under the supervision of architect Gauthier.
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 In fact, the organization’s healthy back-log of orders has brought about a pressing need for administrative space. It is thus that “Le Mât” has seen the day, an 8-storey infrastructure housing office and relaxation space with an original design conducive to inspiration.
The last two floors of this new construction, for which the overall costs of the project surpass several tens of millions of dollars, are occupied by a prestigious reception hall intended for press conferences and other large events. The originality of this room is the installation of an enormous transparent cone that is around seven meters high, 6 meters wide and weighs several tons. This creation, combining ethics and esthetics, serves the purpose of a collector storing rainwater and snowmelt to be reused in the complex where 1,700 employees work. It’s a modern and unique solution that embraces sustainable development.
Concerning the manufacturing, the imposing glass structure was assembled by VITRECO and designed by CPA Verre Structurel, a Quebec firm specialized in  the design of structural glass systems. We had the pleasure of being associated with this firm for the studies, consultancy and engineering of this very large-dimension construction project. It was an opportunity for SADEV to provide its expert knowledge in stapled glass to serve a large international project.
As for most of É. Gauthier’s projects, glass and steel (stainless steel in this case) are in the forefront, translating here, the modernistic Montreal heritage. The reheated and bent laminated glass panes installed are not drilled but rather clamped. The mass of the glass and the normal stress caused by the wind and snow on the glass surfaces are supported by fastenings crossing the horizontal and vertical joints. They are bolted to cross braces anchored on the stainless steel framework.
SADEV has proudly contributed to the installation of the water collector by supplying cross braces with horizontal arms and fastenings capable of perfectly mirroring the curves in the glass. In addition, the special fastenings used on this project prevent swinging movements.
 As for the expansion joints made of shaped silicon, they are capable of absorbing movements, going up to 30 mm, between the conical form of the collector and the metal structure, which could be caused by temperature variations and relative deformations of the roof and floor under live loads. Numerous constraints were overcome during the construction of this magical place, which is both modern and responsible. SADEV was able to respond brilliantly to the challenge by supplying components that were particularly well suited to the specifications of this construction. A team attentive to every need enables great projects to come to fruition. Don’t hesitate to consult us; we’ll be able to provide solutions for your projects, even the most ambitious ones!
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Photos: Sadev
Last review: October, 2008 |
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