Bourse de Commerce Paris
Practical benefits and aesthetics
| Usage | Education & Culture |
| Solution | Controlled natural ventilation CNV, Smoke Extraction SHEV |
| Year | 2021 (Completion of restauration) |
| Location | France |
| Architect | Tadao Ando Architect & Associates (TAAA), as well as partner architects Niney et Marca Architectes (NeM) + Agence Pierre-Antoine Gatier |
The solutions used by D+H at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris are not only reliable, they also go unnoticed by the art aficionados who frequent the building
The D+H sales partner Agora Sodési, which is based in France, won the Silver Award in the Atmosphere Award 2022 competition for its participation in the conversion of the Bourse de Commerce, which is currently used as an exhibition venue. The roof of the building, which was originally a granary, dates back to the 19th century and was made of metal and glass. The dome was renovated as part of the recent conversion and not only admits daylight and sets the scene for a 140 metre long ceiling fresco, but also incorporates solutions that ensure the necessary fire protection.
The former trading exchange, which is not far from the Louvre and Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, is located in the heart of the French capital. The Bourse de Commerce was part of the French contribution to the Exposition Universelle of 1889. The Eiffel Tower was also part of the French contribution to this World's Fair. The listed building with glass dome stood empty for a long time. The Bourse de Commerce acquired a new purpose when the art collector François Pinault wanted to use it as an exhibition location for part of his family’s private collection. Purchased by the city of Paris, the building was leased to the “Pinault Collection”, which also covered the cost of conversion and renovation. The conversion was carried out according to the design of the Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize winner Tadao Ando. Works of contemporary and modern art are displayed in the exhibition spaces of the art gallery.
Implemented by D+H Partner Agora Sodési, there were two key requirements to be addressed when carrying out the assignment. Smoke and heat exhaust ventilation (SHEV) and controlled natural ventilation (CNV) had to be ensured as the first step. Secondly, all windows in the base of the upper dome had to be openable if required. There was also a further requirement in relation to aesthetic details: the client requested that the machinery used for smoke extraction and ventilation should not be noticed by visitors to the exhibition. Inside the building, the focus should be entirely on the art displayed, and nothing should detract from this.
To satisfy the first requirement, the windows for smoke and heat exhaust ventilation were motorised by installing more than 50 D+H chain drives of the type CDC. The drives are mounted on steel frames and side-hung windows were used. Smoke extraction and ventilation is therefore ensured.
To satisfy the second requirement, an approach combining technical functionality with aesthetic appeal was needed. The proposed solution was to mount the controllers externally – a detail which decisively influenced the decision by the client to award the contract to D+H. The control was implemented using six D+H control panels of the type DAC 4408-K, which in the final design were installed outside the building inside a watertight metal housing complete with fan and heating system. This ensures that the system can be counted on all year round.
Check out our other Atmosphere Award winners 2022:
