This project ecompassed the extension and refurbishment of a retirement home for the Cognacq-Jay-Foundation, built in the second half of the 19th century; The objective was to bring the home up to current standards for public buildings and to double its residential capacity. Designed by Jean Nouvel it was an opportunity to experiment with specialised construction and erection processes, and steel and glass components, in particular galvanised steel grids, decorative steel lattice and steel frame.  

Comprising three buildings, the overall layout forms an H, the parallel arms comprising the old building, currently being refurbished, and a new one whose morphology is identical to that of the original, devoted to accommodation and, on the lower levels, to offices, consulting and physiotherapy rooms, and technical service spaces.

Between the two buildings, a connecting gallery houses upstairs lounges and, on the ground floor, the hall and reception areas.

A single style of a steeply pitched roof, modelled on the original, affords unity to the complex.

On the extensions, the roof is made of glass: sloping glazing on the gallery and glass tiles laid on the roof structure of the new building.

The facades of the new building with its concrete structure are clad with a remarkable facia of glass bricks, clipped onto galvanised steel grids. According to the intensity of the sun, the grid pattern fades out or is accentuated, becoming very apparent when it is overcast, yet in fine weather, it is a bright, scintillating surface in fine weather due to an aluminium film fixed behind the glass, directly onto the insulation.

Columns of bay windows, from which alternate rooms benefit, are suspended one floor above ground level.

The decorative steel lattice derives its inspiration from the image created by the glazing bars of the old facade. Internally, the floors are linked vertically by means of glazed lifts situated at the northern and southern ends of the corridors.

The two main facades, north and south, form a suspended curtain wall over the full height, which is continued by the roof. The securing of the curtain walls by the discrete structural elements gives the impression of a very tenuous link to the structural frame.

The south-facing facade and the slope of the roof are overlaid with a sunbreaker screen whose horizontal serigraphed glass slats are clipped to steel fittings screwed onto suspended flats fixed to the cornice. Inside, the steel structure is imposing beneath this glazed volume which permits exploitation of the exterior environment as if it were an item of decor.

The massive frame contributes to the exceptional setting of the upstairs lounges, spread over three levels and linked at each end to the east and west wings by walkways.

Furnished with period chairs and tables and featuring red-brown parquet flooring, these lounges, suspended between sky and earth and flooded with light constitute the true centres of life in this retirement home.

Key information

Number of storeys	4
Extension / addition

Location of steel solutions

Beams
Doors
External wall
Internal wall
Light steel sections
Window

Types of steel used in the building

Flat stainless steel
Long carbon steel
Metallic coated flat carbon steel

Cognacq-Jay Foundation