The “Parc des Vergers de la Plaine”
15 Single Layer ETFE Umbrellas Leave Stunning Impression at Shopping Mall in France
Fabric Type: ETFE Film
Market Sector: Retail
Project Size: 48,500 sq.ft.
Architect: Scau
Engineer: Leicht France
Owner: SOPIC
General Contractor: ACS Production
Completion Date: April 20, 2012
Fifteen umbrellas clad with ETFE film provide a signature design at The "Parc des Vergers de la Plaine", a shopping mall located in Chambourcy, France. Designed, fabricated, and built by Birdair's sister company Taiyo Europe, the uniquely arranged umbrellas varying in height and dimensions, are a functional and dramatic addition to the heart of the shopping mall.
The umbrellas are covered with a single layer ETFE film supported by cable nets. The transparent ETFE film allows natural sunlight into the patio, while providing coverage from the rain. The umbrella diameter is 12m and 20m, with a variety of heights at a maximum 12m. A unique arrangement of the umbrellas creates a distinctive space for the shopping mall.
Development of special clamping systems and cable connections specifically for the project proved to be challenging. The details were designed and tested to fulfill the ATEX procedure (French technical approval procedure).
Due to a tight time schedule and weather conditions, the umbrellas were installed in 3 months in time for the opening of the mall in May 2012. The completed iconic structure features an organic and fluid shape, and is one of the largest projects featuring a single layer ETFE with supporting cable nets which the MakMax group has participated in.
