„Pierres Vives“ the new sports and library building in Montpellier uses dynamic window frames by Kersten Europe with the smallest radius of 500mm

The „Pierres Vives“ project brings together three functions – a library, an archive and sports facilities. The architect, Zaha Hadid, was inspired by nature and created a “Tree of knowledge”. The archive represents the solid base – the trunk, followed by the library, which has a more open and porous design.

 

The sporting facilities with offices are in the upper part of the building, where the trunk branches out. The various functions are merged together in the centre of the building. This is where you will find a lecture hall and meeting rooms combined with a huge self-supporting roof, which marks the public entrance to Pierres Vives on the west side. Construction commenced in 2006 and the building will be complete in January 2012.

Kersten Europe is supplying three different curved aluminium profiles, which are joined together on site to create an artwork. The following are supplied:
200 “Brise Soleil” with conical profile – 70x300x3mm
298 “Traverso” – 188.5x70x3mm
437 Slats -70x18x2mm

The challenge lies in the first-class construction of the smallest bending radiuses from 500mm. Kersten Europe bent the profiles, mechanically treated them and hardened them.