Programme and Concept

These 51 rental residential units plus district library were designed and conceived as part of an experimental "REX" type programme, led by Eure's "Office Public d'Aménagement et de Construction" (OPAC - Public Development and Construction Service) in partnership with France's Ministry of Town Planning and Housing.

The iniative is part of a practical rethink of the benefits for jobsite organisation and logistics in using dry-assembled composite building systems. The architectural firm of Dubosc & Landowski, which has been involved for several years in researching innovative building systems, designed the programme in partnership with the town of Evreux.

 A Human Scale

The project consists of five adjoining, yet clearly identifiable, four-story buildings with a large range of different size flats of two to five rooms.

• there are 10 two-room flats with an average living area of 56 m2
• 19 three-room flats with an average living area of 70 m2
• 17 four-room flats with an average living area of 82 m2
• and 5 five-room flats with an average living area of 106 m2.
• the flats on the fourth floor are duplexes and most of the flats have a loggia or a balcony.
• the district library is located in the first building, occupying 328 m2 on two floors.
• finally, there are 22 covered parking spaces plus 49 parking spaces outside.

This distribution should ensure a good mix of different size families plus a perception of the project on a human scale to help create a real neighbourhood atmosphere.

The structure, which is constructed entirely of hot-rolled steel sections, is left exposed around the loggias on the front, the stairs and the service areas at the rear. The upper and lower parts of the exterior walls are covered horizontally with integrally stained reconstituted wood panelling and the middle section is panelled vertically with sinusoidal steel cladding painted white. The contrast between the wood and steel on the exterior walls and the exposed structure enhances architectural depths of scale. The arched roofs are also made of steel. The complex as a whole has a very contemporary appearance, but is related to traditional local architecture by the fragmentation of space, the differentiation of levels and the individuality of the flats.

Flexibility and Mobility

The load-bearing structure, on 5.5 metres centres, consists of a series of columns placed in-line with the walls and IPEtype hot rolled girders. The bracing is provided by cross bracing integrated in partition walls or exposed on the exterior walls. Tie beams suspended from the arched roof structure subtly replace the row of intermediate columns that would normally be required. The concept of combining a steel column and beam structure, exterior walls, lightweight floors and composite panels gives the buildings a large degree of flexibility. Thanks to each floor's open plan, the size, layout and distribution of flats can be changed to suit the residents' living requirements. The ability to open and move partition walls, or create new openings in the floors, facilitates alterations so that one can reconfigure the size of flats without excessive cost.

The floors comprise of Hacierco type steel decking covered with composite wood panels and plaster screed, without use of a concrete slab. The steel structure used with this " Dry Interactive Composite Floor" (PCIS) developed by Arcelor Construction enables one to substantially reduce the building mass and thus to significantly reduce the number of foundation bearing points. It also satisfies the site constraints: land with low bearing capacity located in a flood zone. Furthermore, assembly is fast and easy thanks to the use of components that can be partially handled manually. thanks to the use of components that can be partially handled manually, thanks to the use of components that can be partially handled manually. 

Acoustic Standards Respected

By applying the mass-spring-mass principle both for walls and floors, this building complex meets the strictest acoustical standards, especially those of the Qualitel label that establishes minimum acoustical insulation requirements in France based on the type of room. Consequently, the minimum acoustical insulation between bedrooms in two adjoining flats is 54 dB(A), 51 dB(A) between the living room of one flat and the kitchen of another, 65 dB(A) between a living room or bedroom in one flat and a bedroom in another flat and 41 dB(A) between a flat and common traffic areas. The transmission of impact noise has also been substantially attenuated.

Thermal insulation performs better than traditional methods of insulating reinforced concrete structures. Consequently heating consumption can be reduced, which in turn leads to substantial cost savings for tenants. This performance is achieved by eliminating thermal bridges, reducing heat losses (the volumetric coefficient of losses is -20 to -30 depending on the type of window frame used) and using thicker insulation (160 mm of mineral wool) in the exterior walls. EDF (Electricité de France) validated the relevance of this insulation system with specific meters installed for the project. The building was awarded the "Initiatives" with specific meters installed for the project. The building was awarded the "Initiatives" trophy by Innov'élec (a contest organised jointly by EDF and the Council Flat Union) for its innovative building system, the suitability of the electrical heating system and the efficiency of the insulation, as well as the thoroughness of the consumption monitoring and control.

Fast Construction Thanks to the use of a completely integrated and dry steel building system, the building complex was completed in record time: less than nine months! More precisely, it was due to the reduced foundations, the work-shop production of a large part of the structure and the ease of installing a dry floor system, which eliminated the drying time required for a concrete floor. Competitive Costs

An analysis of the cost breakdown by trade shows that the total cost of construction is competitive with ordinary methods, while improving thermal and acoustical insulation performance. The cost of the structure only represents one fifth of the total cost of construction. In addition, one has to consider the savings due to the speed of construction, which reduces financing costs for the contracting authority while generating rents sooner. Sustainable Development

The building's acoustical and energy performance combined with the permanence of the technical solutions and the ability to easily change its interior layout are an excellent example of an environmentally friendly building.

In addition, the completely dry construction method means the building can be easily dismantled at the end of its life and the building materials easily separated for optimal recycling.

Technical Assistance for our Customers ARCELOR team of civil engineers is at your disposal to answer all your questions concerning the use of our sections. This technical advice extends to the design of building components, construction details, surface and fire protection, metallurgy and welding. Our specialists can visit any site in the world, on request.

In order to guarantee the best possible incorporation of profiles, special software and various items of technical literature are also available to our customers. These can be found on the Internet at : A group of environmentally friendly flats can be built within nine months using a combination of hot rolledsteel girders and steel decks thanks to mastery of manufacturing and assembly techniques. This approach provides an effective solution in terms of cost, acoustic and energy criteria, flexibility, comfort and durability, without forgetting that the materials are completely recyclable at the end of the building's life, using a combination of hot rolledsteel girders and steel decks thanks to mastery of manufacturing and assembly techniques. This approach provides an effective solution in terms of cost, acoustic and energy criteria, flexibility, comfort and durability, without forgetting that the materials are completely recyclable at the end of the building's life.

using a combination of hot rolledsteel girders and steel decks thanks to mastery of manufacturing and assembly techniques. This approach provides an effective solution in terms of cost, acoustic and energy criteria, flexibility, comfort and durability, without forgetting that the materials are completely recyclable at the end of the building's life.

using a combination of hot rolledsteel girders and steel decks thanks to mastery of manufacturing and assembly techniques. This approach provides an effective solution in terms of cost, acoustic and energy criteria, flexibility, comfort and durability, without forgetting that the materials are completely recyclable at the end of the building's life.

 

Summary

Architect	Atelier Dubosc & Landowski
Contracting Authority	OPAC de L'Eure
Structural Engineers	Bohic
General Contractor	Quille
Fluid Engineers	Pouget
City	Evreux
Country	France
Region	Europe
Climatic Condition	Temperate
Housing Type	Multi family high-rise

Social Housing Evreux