The construction strategy for this project designed by Jacques Ferrier was dictated by minimalism and simplicity, both for economic reasons and to respond to movements and the absolute modernity of rolling stock.
Architect was looking for an integrated and coherent principle that combines the use of durable materials with work on light.
The workshop hall is sheltered under a copper roof. This roof cover is the juxtaposition of 22 m wide waves which, by peeling off from each other, release vertical glazed sections which provide evenly distributed overhead lighting.
The design of this roof allows great ease of installation and total reliability in terms of maintenance and durability.
The facades are either made of translucent reinforced channel glass, or, when they receive industrial doors, in raw concrete. During the day the maintenance hall is bathed in natural light, and from the outside you can guess the activity that takes place inside. At night, the copper roofs seem to be raised above blocks of light, and the presence of the depot workshop in the city asserts itself as a landmark.
Creation of a façade with wavy shapes made of Pilkington Profilit™ K 22/60/7 brings together workshop and garage to house the tramways of Bordeaux.
Pilkington Profilit™ channel glass thus responded to the wishes of the architect by allowing the realization of a building with an elegant form and offering natural light.
In 2005 the project was nominated to the Mies van der Rohe award.