Category: Le Mag SMC2

On Friday 10 September, the inauguration of the gymnasium that we built in Verrières-en-Anjou in France, in a rapidly developing district, took place.

The third sports hall in the area, its use will be shared between the municipality of Verrières-en-Anjou and the teaching structure of Saint-Aubin la Salle. Thus, the gym will be used during the week and during the day by the 1,200 pupils of the secondary school and the high school, and in the evening and at weekends by the sports associations of Verrières-en-Anjou.

The inauguration was celebrated by Christophe Béchu, Mayor of Angers and President of Angers Loire Métropole, Roch Brancour, 7th Vice-President of the Pays de la Loire Regional Council, and Florence Dabin, President of the Maine-et-Loire Department.

All praised the merits of this new building, described as “a bright, sober and functional facility”.

The wooden structure and textile envelope of this building make it a modern and eco-responsible sports complex. Like all of our projects, it blends in perfectly with its environment and is part of a sustainable approach that respects the environment.

The composite membrane, also known as textile roofing, is becoming increasingly popular in the construction world. Modern and ecological, textile construction has been used for several years in the design of sports grounds and complexes, industrial warehouses, school buildings, and many others. What are the reasons for this success? Why is it worthwhile to use textile roofing on a sports and leisure complex?

 

TEXTILE ROOFING: FOR MAXIMUM PLAYING COMFORT

This is one of the first advantages of textile coverings in the construction of a sports field or complex. With its translucent side, the textile cover provides a homogeneous zenithal lighting ideal to eliminate any possibility of glare or shadow zone. Thought in a broader vision of textile architecture, the textile cover guarantees optimal playing comfort for the sportsmen, and an equally optimal visual comfort for the public.
Unlike a metal structure that reflects sound by creating an echo and reverberation phenomenon, the textile cover also has a composition that allows it to absorb part of the noise pollution. This is a crucial element for maximum comfort in sports arenas where large numbers of people are expected to attend. Finally, the textile cover significantly improves the protection of users against the heat in summer and the cold in winter. The reason: the low thermal inertia of the composite membrane.

 

THE TEXTILE COVER: FOR SAVINGS ON THE COST OF USE

Are you one of those, private companies or local authorities, who are looking to minimise the running costs of a multi-sports hall or a sports stadium? Textile construction has a number of advantages in this respect that should appeal to you. Thanks to its light and thermal properties, textile roofing allows for better management of lighting and heating systems.
Where a traditional building sees its lighting bill rise over the year, a sports building with a textile roofing takes advantage of the natural light outside to obtain an equivalent result, without spending a single cent. Likewise, the sun’s rays on the textile cover allow for better management of the interior temperature, with a clear reduction in heating consumption. Finally, it should be noted that textile roofing is less expensive to construct than other materials, with an equivalent lifespan of about 30 years.

 

TEXTILE ROOFING: FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION

The third argument in favour of textile construction is its low ecological impact. In the world of sports, concerned about environmental issues, it seems logical to use ecological materials for the construction of sports buildings. Fully recyclable and requiring little maintenance, textile construction is part of this environmental approach. Textile construction is not only energy-saving, it is also distinguished by its construction method. By opting for a textile construction, you favour the dry method, which is much more environmentally friendly than the wet method.

 

TEXTILE ROOFING: FOR AN INFINITE NUMBER OF ARCHITECTURAL POSSIBILITIES

A final element that may help to understand the popularity of textile roofing in recent years is the architectural freedom offered by this type of material. For municipal sports and leisure facilities, as well as for large private stadiums, textile roofing offers great flexibility in adapting to architectural requirements.
At SMC2, our teams of architects, engineers and graphic designers have a mastery of textile construction that allows them to imagine the most innovative projects. Thanks to their know-how and creativity, it is now possible to imagine the construction of a sports arena that is comfortable, economical, eco-responsible and aesthetic.

Dry construction is a construction method that does not use water on the building site. The materials used in dry construction are carefully selected and no concrete or cement is allowed. The construction elements (wood or metal) are pre-assembled in the workshop. Dry construction sites are therefore quick and economical.

 

UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE OF DRY CONSTRUCTION

In the field of building construction and public works, a distinction is made between different implementation techniques. These depend mainly on the type of building and the materials used, such as wood or steel. Among the innovative methods, many projects tend to be realised using the dry method.
As the name implies, dry construction means not using water in the execution of construction projects. In a traditional context, construction projects use materials that require a significant amount of water, such as poured cement or concrete. This is known as “wet” construction. Dry construction saves time and money with a reduced construction time, as there is no need to wait for the materials to dry.
Building professionals generally use the dry technique for wood and/or steel constructions. This can underlie a mixed structure. The principle is based on better cost management for the realisation of your project. In addition, the construction site does not have to adapt to climatic changes: whether it is bad weather or hot weather. This is an essential asset to avoid delays due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the project owner.

 

THE MAIN ADVANTAGES OF DRY CONSTRUCTION

From a practical or economic point of view, the dry construction method offers numerous advantages for builders, as well as for investors and property developers:
– Reduced consumption of raw materials;
– A lower overall cost than wet construction;
– A simpler and faster implementation;
– An optimised carbon footprint based on sustainable development values;
– Reduced noise pollution and site waste production.

For this last point, the company responsible for the site also saves on removal and treatment costs. On the basis of criteria and requirements specific to certain labels and certifications, recognised environmental standards can be met. For example, HQE (High Environmental Quality), Effinergie+ or BBCA for low carbon buildings.

 

USING QUALITY MATERIALS FOR DRY CONSTRUCTION

Particularly popular for the design of industrial and agricultural buildings, dry construction uses eco-materials, mainly from sustainably managed resources. This is particularly the case for wood, which is used both for the structure of the envelope and the framework. This is known as MOB (Wall and Wooden Frame). Whatever the solution adopted, wood is distinguished by its insulating properties, which are much better than those of concrete.
Whether it is a house or even a multi-sports hall, this process improves the energy performance of the building. It is easier to regulate the thermal comfort inside, to avoid thermal bridges and other losses. In addition to the energy savings in the operation of the buildings, the sound insulation is also optimised. Thanks to a dry technique, the envelope loses thickness and preserves its solidity to guarantee healthy and durable constructions.

 

BETTER MANAGEMENT OF YOUR BUILDING SITE

Due to their well thought-out design, metal-textile constructions can also benefit from the advantages of the dry method. In addition to the above-mentioned advantages, this is also due to better management of the organisation of your building site. During production, the materials are prefabricated in order to reduce production and delivery times for effective delivery.
On site, the teams take care of the assembly with reduced technical means compared to a traditional construction. This stage is one of the main time-savers, which allows you to concentrate on the finishing work. For example, the installation of a composite membrane for a textile roof or the application of a facing plaster for the facades.

Having to follow and accompany the different stages of the construction of buildings, offices or warehouses is a process in which few company managers or local authorities like to invest. With its turnkey building solutions, SMC2 responds to a strong demand for the construction of buildings with complete peace of mind, and with multiple advantages.

 

Turnkey buildings: an economical solution

The wooden constructions proposed by SMC2 for industrial and tertiary sectors are part of the “dry sector“. By their very nature, these constructions allow the duration of the building site to be reduced (approximately 3 months) thanks to two important elements:

• The disappearance of the drying time that penalizes the “wet sector” constructions;
• The preparation of the elements upstream for a modular construction.

By extension, the buildings produced by the SMC2 teams for local authorities or private companies require less equipment and machinery. This results in turnkey buildings that are more economical than those of the competition, with savings in materials, equipment and time.

Focus on energy savings with wood construction

Les qualités énergétiques du bois associées à une membrane textile performante permettent d’obtenir des bâtiments pour l’industrie et le tertiaire efficaces sur le plan de la consommation énergétique. Avec les bâtiments clé en main SMC2, vous profitez d’entrepôts ou de bâtiments peu gourmands en énergie, et donc rentables sur leur coût d’exploitation.

The energy-saving qualities of wood combined with a high-performance textile membrane make it possible to achieve energy-efficient buildings for industry and the service sector. With SMC2 turnkey buildings, you can benefit from energy-efficient warehouses or buildings that are cost effective to operate.

 

Industrial buildings with optimised storage and working conditions

C’est l’autre grande caractéristique des bâtiments industriels proposés par les équipes SMC2. Alors que les entrepôts sont souvent bruyants à cause des lourdes charges manipulées et des machines qui résonnent, les matériaux bois et textiles sont dotés de performances d’affaiblissement acoustique. Ils neutralisent les phénomènes de réverbération et d’écho responsables des nuisances sonores pour des bâtiments et entrepôts industriels moins bruyants. Par ailleurs, la faible inertie thermique de la membrane textile et les qualités isolantes du bois participent à un meilleur confort thermique au sein du bâtiment. La construction bois influe également positivement sur l’hygrométrie, garantissant un air sain et non humide. De toutes ces caractéristiques, il en résulte des conditions de stockage et de travail optimisées, et une inscription de la construction SMC2 dans la réglementation RT2012 et l’engagement HQE.

This is the other major characteristic of the industrial buildings offered by the SMC2 teams. While warehouses are often noisy because of the heavy loads handled and the machines that resonate, wood and textile materials are endowed with acoustic damping performances. They neutralise the phenomena of reverberation and echo responsible for noise pollution for less noisy industrial buildings and warehouses. In addition, the low thermal inertia of the textile membrane and the insulating qualities of the wood contribute to a better thermal comfort within the building. Wooden construction also has a positive influence on humidity, ensuring healthy, moisture-free air. The result of all these characteristics is optimised storage and working conditions, and the SMC2 construction complies with RT2012 regulations and the HQE commitment.

 

SMC2: for high environmental quality buildings

For many years now, environmental and sustainable development issues have been part of the construction of industrial buildings. In 2020, the objective of many companies like SMC2 is to offer industrialists and local authorities eco-responsible buildings.
In practice, this approach translates into the choice of ecological materials (wood, textiles) and construction methods (the dry process) that are more virtuous for the planet. At SMC2, all the materials used in the construction process are entirely recyclable, from the losses caused by adjustments on site to the deconstruction of the building at the end of its life. The life cycle of your building is thus thought out in its entirety to limit the negative impact on the environment as much as possible.

 

Your turnkey building in practice

Does the idea of having your turnkey building constructed by SMC2 teams in an eco-responsible manner appeal to you? In practice, the design of your turnkey building is characterised by the fact that we take complete charge of your project. From the definition of your needs to the handing over of the keys on D-day, the SMC2 teams undertake to carry out the various stages of your project at your side, in compliance with the rates and deadlines set by contract. For companies or local authorities that call on our services, the construction of turnkey buildings allows them to erect a building with complete peace of mind.

In the field of construction, textile architecture has many advantages for the implementation, operation and maintenance of buildings. This technique is also in line with the values of eco-construction, which allows for a reduction in environmental impact and energy savings. So, why is textile roofing interesting for a covered tennis court?

 

THE MAIN ADVANTAGES OF TEXTILE ARCHITECTURE

Textile architecture is interesting for many construction projects: customisable facades, metal-textile structures, sports halls… It stands out for its modern aesthetic aspect, which matches different volumes and enhances the light architecture. Other advantages of textile roofing make it possible to create durable buildings that are pleasant to occupy and economical in their use:

• Excellent mechanical strength with adjustable load-bearing capacity and tensile strength.
• Solid materials designed to withstand a wide range of environmental conditions: bad weather, heat waves, frost episodes, etc.
• Customised construction, depending on the surface to be covered and the desired colour.

In addition, a textile cover is easy to maintain: the presence of an anti-fouling varnish avoids too frequent interventions to clean it. It therefore preserves its durability and its insulating and protective properties.

 

WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF A TENNIS COURT COVERED WITH A TEXTILE MEMBRANE?

Other advantages of the textile cover are particularly noteworthy in the context of a covered tennis court construction project. One of these is ambient lighting. Thanks to the translucency of the fabric, the playing areas receive an optimal amount of natural light, without creating a feeling of glare. This saves energy in the operation of the facility, while improving training and playing conditions with an even temperature and humidity level.
The textile cover also has a low thermal inertia. This avoids heat transfer to keep the covered areas cool in the summer. During the cold winter months, its insulating properties prevent energy loss and the creation of thermal bridges. This makes it easier to regulate the temperature of the courts. From the players’ point of view, they don’t have to worry about the weather conditions to play their favourite sport. Echo and acoustic reverberations are prevented to preserve their concentration.

MAKING A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT WITH A TENNIS COURT WITH TEXTILE COVER

Thanks to the involvement of the SMC2 teams, the construction of an indoor tennis court is also a guarantee of a desire to promote eco-construction. Like other materials used by SMC2, the textile membrane is fully recyclable. It has a low impact on the environment, is insensitive to the risks of oxidation and its translucency remains intact with minimal maintenance.
Designed to be adapted to modular wooden or metal-textile structures, the membrane is part of the dry process. The construction of a tennis court does not require cement, concrete or materials that require significant water consumption. The construction sites are fast, thanks to a pre-construction in factory.

In compliance with various eco-responsible labels and certifications (Effinergie+, BBCA, HQE or High Environmental Quality…), textile roofing requires few technical and human resources for easy deployment. The following points are also appreciated for the success of your project:

• A machined production process that ensures rapid delivery;
• The application of an anti-fouling varnish to reduce cleaning and maintenance interventions;
• A single or double wall installation system;
• Multiple integration possibilities for a court that covers one or more tennis courts.

For more information on the textile cover or on the tennis courts designed by our teams, do not hesitate to contact our experts.

If the 50s and 70s were the golden age of concrete buildings, today brutalist architecture is well and truly a thing of the past. Ever more surprising and innovative modern architecture proposes to forget closed spaces and open up buildings to their environment. Only one watchword for today’s architecture: let the sunshine in!

 

INNOVATION AT THE SERVICE OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE

Futuristic silhouettes, perfect balance, high energy performance: in architecture, innovation has its place at all levels, from the materials used, to how they are installed, to the maintenance of the finished building.

 

Today, it is in laboratories from all over the world that the materials of tomorrow are designed by engineers, that will allow us to build stronger, more beautiful and more environmentally friendly buildings.

 

It is these innovations in particular that have made it possible to make more room for light in modern architectural constructions. Translucent and lightweight materials are stronger and provide better thermal comfort and can therefore be more widely used. Thick walls devoid of openings in order to keep in the heat are out, breezy, clear and insulating materials are in!

 

WHAT’S ETFE?

ETFE or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene is a material which appeared in 1970 and which, thanks to its impressive properties, has been used in many exceptional structures.

 

ETFE is semi-crystalline and can therefore replace glass. But this material doesn’t just replace glass. In many ways, it’s a much better alternative:

• ETFE is cheaper than glass;
• It lets light through bettere ;
• It’s lighter ;
• It can be used in extreme temperatures from -80 degrees to over 150 degrees ;
• And just like glass, it’s recyclable.

 

Today, many buildings in France use ETFE to cover their structures. This is, for example, the case of the Nuage in Montpellier created by Phillipe Starck, of the Confluence shopping centre roof in Lyon or the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice.

 

Other examples of buildings using ETFE internationally include the Eden Project domes in England and the Beijing Water Cube.

 

TEXTILE ARCHITECTURE: UNPARALLELED ARCHITECTURAL AND TECHNICAL QUALITIES

 

Textile architecture refers to constructions that use a textile membrane supported by a metal or timber structure, for example textile facades or textile roofs.

It’s a very fashionable technique in contemporary architecture, particularly in the world of sports: many stadiums, such as in Munich, a pioneer in the field, or the Olympic stadium in Berlin, use this technique.

 

Flexible and lightweight, textile membranes are compatible with all architectural audacities. They dress buildings in a breezy sail covered in surprising and minimalist geometric forms.

 

If textile architecture is so popular throughout the world, it’s also thanks to its technical performances, which allow it to replace more classical architectures:

 

• Natural daylight: Textile membranes are translucent, naturally letting light into the structure. The result? Artificial lighting is reduced in favour of pleasant light with no shadows and an average of 800 lux all year round.
• Thermal and acoustic comfort: Low thermal inertia and sound-absorbing curves allow textile architecture to guarantee a temperate atmosphere and low acoustic reverberation.
• High environmental quality: Textile architecture therefore brings natural light and controlled temperature to equipped buildings. Two qualities that reduce lighting and heating costs. Furthermore, textile membranes are 100% recyclable.
• Reduced costs: Choosing textile architecture also means saving money. Compared to a project using “classic” materials, the use of textile membranes often makes it possible to create structures at a lower cost.

 

It is therefore not a coincidence that textile facades and textile coverings are popping up everywhere in France and elsewhere: they have very convincing features!

 

Want more information? Feel free to contact us to discuss and chat with SMC2 experts about textile architecture or anything else that may concern your project.

Communities and businesses that choose textile facade buildings get the advantages of light, aesthetic and environmentally friendly architecture. Currently acknowledged as a sustainable and environmentally friendly material, textile facades are becoming increasingly popular around the world. Let’s take a look at these innovative facades and their characteristics.

 

WHAT’S A TEXTILE FACADE?

A textile facade is a textile membrane stretched over a timber or steel structure. The textile membrane is PVC-coated polyester fabric coated with an anti-soiling varnish. These very strong fabrics protect and insulate buildings without blocking out natural daylight.

 

5 GOOD REASONS TO CHOOSE A TEXTILE FACADE CONSTRUCTION

1. FOR BRIGHT AND LIGHT ARCHITECTURE

Light, fluid and aerial, textile facades are instant eye-catchers. Their aesthetics, modernity and sleek design stand out, while blending perfectly into the urban environments that surround them.
Beyond their design, the architectural qualities of textile facades are not to be outdone: they let natural daylight inside the building. The importance of natural daylight and its proper management in architecture is no longer to be proven, and textile facades make it possible to create complex structures while guaranteeing maximum natural daylight.

2. FOR INSTALLATIONS THAT ADAPT TO ALL TYPES OF PROJECT

Cities and towns in France call on SMC2 to build sports or school facilities with textile facades (paddle ball courts, 3×3 basketball courts, 5-a-side football pitches, bowling alleys, school playgrounds, etc.), and industrial and service sector businesses use textile facades for all kinds of buildings (offices, storage warehouses, etc.).
Why? Because textile facade constructions offer a wide variety of shapes, volumes and uses. They adapt perfectly to every project.

At SMC2, our metal-textile architecture and timber construction expertise have made it possible for us to successfully complete different textile facade building projects:

• A sports school yard with a micro-perforated textile facade;
• A 13,000 m2 cement manufacturing plant;
• Europe’s biggest athletics hall in Miramas, with a textile facade resting on a glue-laminated timber frame.

3. TO GET A FIRST-RATE COMMUNICATION MEDIUM

There’s nothing like a textile facade to enhance a project, set it apart from others and catch the eye of passers-by. This is because the large textile membrane surfaces that cover the constructions are valuable communication media.
Every square metre of textile facade can feature an image, a logo, a striking message, or simply inform of opening hours for the location.
The generous sizes of these modern structures make large scale or even very large scale displays possible! At a time when advertising on traditional billboards no longer has the same impact as before, textile facades are a great card to play for all projects looking for visibility.

4. TO CREATE RELIABLE STRUCTURES

By combining a metal structure with a textile covering, our constructions benefit from the advantages of both materials:
1. Strength and durability;
2. Low ground load and fast construction.
Textile membranes also make it possible to combine a wide variety of materials on a project. Depending on requirements, we combine them with timber, steel or composite structures.

5. TO BUILD A PLEASANT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY LIVING SPACE

Textile membranes provide perfect protection from the elements and filter out UVs. All these qualities provide unrivalled comfort inside the building:

• Thermal comfort both in summer and winter;
• Acoustic comfort with a decrease in annoying echoes and resonance effects that can seriously disrupt work in a business or disturb the general public.

Textile facades also provide a tailored response to the need to optimise energy consumption. They create efficient bio-climatic shells by providing good insulation, while taking advantage of the sun’s heat. This significantly reduces heating costs for such structures. Textile membranes are also 100% recyclable.
Even though the fabrics used have some similarities in their production methods, they are custom-made for each project. This allows us to precisely fulfil the specifications of each building under construction depending on the required characteristics.
Want more information? Interested in textile facades for one of your projects? The SMC2 experts are there to help, feel free to contact us!