The “Signal” is a 67-metre-high tower of the building hosting the Regional Council Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. The building has undergone renovation and expansion.
The 60,000 m² construction project aimed to promote transparency. The Regional Council wanted to prevent a disconnect between the public and elected officials. Glass was therefore the material of choice.
However, the project's uniqueness lies primarily in the construction of a 67-metre-high ovoid tower. The tower has a façade cladding made of Pilkington Activ Optilam™ OW I Translucent White i.e. laminated extra-clear glass assembled with a translucent interlayer and a self-cleaning coating.
Pilkington Activ™ coating applied to the glass outer surface, provides self-cleaning properties. Firstly, ultraviolet radiation causes organic dirt to decompose and break down through a photocatalytic process. Secondly, rainwater spreads evenly over the surface of the glass, removing any dust deposits.
The glass panes, located 60 cm from the concrete wall, have been curved to follow the elliptical shape of the building.