Chrysalide is the historic head office of Crédit Agricole's Haute-Loire Regional Bank, built in 1974 in the centre of Saint-Etienne. This octagonal tower, a landmark of the district, was renovated by LBBA Architecture to take on a cylindrical shape. The construction of extensions with contemporary façades adds a touch of modernity.
There were several constraints for this city-centre site, which is exposed to three main roads and a stone's throw from the "cauldron", the Geoffroy-Guichard football stadium, which can accommodate almost 42,000 fans. One of the objectives was to provide the occupants of this office building with the best possible working conditions, thermal comfort in both summer and winter and high sound insulation.
For the latter, double glazing composed of Pilkington Suncool Optiphon™ 71/39 16,8 - 16 mm Argon - Pilkington Optiphon™ 12,8 acoustic laminated glass achieves an optimum sound reduction of 51 (-1; -6) dB.
The Pilkington Suncool™ 71/39 low-emissivity and high-performance solar control glass offers the best compromise for large office areas bathed in natural light, with views over the city, maintaining a pleasant temperature in all seasons.
The investment for the refurbishment is substantial, but this eco-responsible construction is expected to reduce operating costs by 30%, according to estimates by the project's technical design office. High-performance glazed façades with Pilkington Suncool™ solar control glass contribute to these energy savings (less need for artificial light, heating, or air conditioning).
The site also includes a business centre with 70- and 200-seat conference rooms, an events area, green rooftops, and a private restaurant.
Photography: © Franck Deletang