Translucence and Rounded Corners for the Nozay Tennis Facility

This new building was positioned at the centre of the plot, making it the pivot point of the overall site in view of its future development. Another constraint: the minimum height should be 9 metres with optimal luminosity for the courts.

The building is thus defined by a laminated wood structure with a facade composed in two parts: a 4-metre-high opaque masonry base capped by a translucent polycarbonate 5-metre-high curtain wall that filters the natural light and lightens the volume.

“We opted for Danpalon^® 16 mm ice that reflects the environment and maintains a transparent effect as well as uniform lighting for the tennis players,” explains David Lovera, architect.

“We had a lot of constraints since this indoor tennis facility is located on a huge site of heteroclite buildings, exterior sports grounds, and a future housing project,” explains the architect, Virginie Jacquier.

An additional and most singular touch is the curved facade with its rounded corners. The Danpalon^® determined the radius for a perfect curve,” clarifies David Lovera before adding: “The carpenters carried out a technical feat by curving the laminated cross bracing elements, thus reinforcing the roundedness in the corners and creating the impression that the Danpalon^® is curved.”

Visually, there is no discontinuity. The building includes two large 16-metre-wide doors that open laterally for ventilation in the summer and serve to spatially connect with the outdoor tennis courts. Another special feature: a sand tone was chosen for the tennis courts, a unique choice in France for indoor courts.

Identity Project

Owner
Town of Nozay, Paris Saclay

Architect
Ajile architectes
www.ajile.fr
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01 48 00 96 35 

Installation contractor
ISOLACIER
www.isolacier.fr
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09.74.56.96.97

Engineering and cost estimating
Ceteam
www.ceteam.fr
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06 49 29 06 81

System:
Danpalon^® 16 mm ice