Drugstore Publicis Paris, France

The Parisian architecture of the lower levels of the building where the drugstore Publicis sits was preserved by dressing it in glass.

The plans submitted by a young Californian architect, Michele Saee, were successful. His proposal was to surround the building in a gigantic veil of glass which would reflect the bustle of the avenue and the silhouette of the nearby Arc de Triomphe.

The façade was built of Pilkington Optiwhite™ laminated glass, creating transparency and high light transmittance at all thicknesses*. The façade consists of rounded curves which envelope and soften the previously stern façade typical of the 1870s architecture.

To satisfy this desire for transparency, the architect chose Pilkington Optiwhite™ laminated glass, an almost colourless glass with excellent optical qualities offering high light transmission in all thicknesses*.

For Cricursa, who processed the glass, this project was one of its most ambitious to date. The pieces of glass, all different in size, had to be put together to form a uniform yet irregular glass sheet.

3D techniques were used to design and mould the glass into rounded forms, cylindrical and conical surfaces, hybrid panels interlocking with one another and fusions of complex shapes. These calculations had to take account of the inherent constraints in glass such as expansion, shrinkage and lamination, bearing the final design in mind.

The completed façade enhanced the street by combining the beauty of the old existing Parisian architecture with new building innovations through glass.

*Pilkington Optiwhite™ is available in thicknesses from 2 to 19 mm.