La Canopée des Halles

By Editorial Staff - 1 October 2020
AGC Flat Glass has participated in the project

Designed by Patrick Berger from Patrick Berger et Jacques Anziutti Architectes, the new canopy roof over the Les Halles area is designed to bring life back to the “belly of Paris”, adding new recreational, cultural and retail spaces, and a revitalized feel to this central part of the city that has been much maligned since the construction of an underground shopping mall in the 1970s.

The majestic steel-and-glass structure draws inspiration - and its name - from tree canopies, copying the idea of treetop branches that extend outwards, bringing unity to the spaces below and creating a new sense of identity.

To create it, AGC Glass Europe had to produce 18,000 panels in two types of glass: translucent enameled Stratobel Imagin Gothic with screen printing, and the partially enameled Planibel Clearvision. The Stratobel line is designed to provide safety - against injury, falls, break-ins and vandalism -
without compromising on aesthetics or transparency, making it an excellent choice in both industrial and residential settings. As it comes in a healthy selection of thicknesses and sizes, it also offers that design freedom architects want in more creative projects where surfaces are not standardized.

In the specific case of the Canopée, Stratobel was used together with Imagin patterned glass, which is especially suited to applications where privacy and comfort are important, but so too is diffused natural light and UV protection.

The Imagin range has 20 geometric patterns in various sizes, widths and formats, for both indoor and outdoor use.

Planibel Clearvision has practically unparalleled light transmission (92%) that guarantees excellent color and transparency even in particularly thick panes, making it the logical choice where clarity of vision and user comfort are essential. The combination of
crystal-clear aesthetics and low level of energy absorption makes this low-iron glass the perfect solution for buildings, homes and industrial sites where superior light transmission and excellent solar energy transmission are critical.

AGC Glass Europe’s involvement in this major project is further proof of the company’s commitment to research and innovation, making it an ideal partner for architects seeking to combine creativity, technology and demanding performance.