Snake House in Grenoble

The city of Grenoble in southeastern France has recently become richer not only with a new urban district but also with a new landmark. The "Snake House" with its striking façade is impossible to overlook; its impressive appearance attracts attention exceptionally well. After all, the goal was to set a high standard for the surrounding buildings.

Architect Édouard François is called a "pioneer of green architecture." To everyone's surprise, he continues to find new interpretations of urban greenery. Édouard François's agency for architecture, urban planning, and design, focusing on sustainable building, has just celebrated 30 years of existence. The extraordinary green objects designed by this architect are always recognizable at first sight. Some of his largest projects include "The Building That Grows" (L'immeuble qui pousse, Montpellier, 2000), Flower Tower (Paris, 2004), and Fouquet's Barrière Hôtel (Paris, 2006). He enjoys playing creatively with façades and continually comes up with something new.

You are called a "pioneer of green architecture." What does that mean in relation to your work?
Édouard François: My specialization is the environment, and I have been doing this for 25 years. Someone may refer to me as a pioneer of sustainable architecture, specifically green façades. I have been a foreign member of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) in London, and my work has been a permanent part of the exhibition at the "Centre Georges Pompidou" for 20 years. I started in the forest and the countryside, designing various green-covered façades. Later, I began to focus more on the city. My way of expression always derives from the context, from the reality surrounding the object. Take "Flower Tower," for example. It was meant to be a house that transforms into a garden. My orientation towards the environment runs like a red thread through everything.

Let's talk about Python! Why a snake?
ÉF: Le Python (The Python) is an atypical building in my work! It stands in a new construction area where everything is flat. Christian Portzamparc is the project leader and urban planner of the Presqu'ile de Grenoble district. Initially, it was very difficult to imagine the building in the environment where it was supposed to stand. Portzamparc was the "conductor" with his own ideas. He wanted to place the house along a major Avenue de Martyrs, adjacent to the Center for Atomic Research and other scientific institutions. He envisioned an iconic building that attracts attention, as the surrounding buildings were treated rather modestly in gray tones.

What was your personal goal for this project?
ÉF: It was about setting a standard. If we are innovative in this new urban area, others will follow suit. The result is a striking building that has flair; it was just what this new district needed.

What effect did the imitation of a snake have on the architectural solution of the building?
ÉF: The form and execution of the building are very simple. That’s why we chose a material that strongly abstracts from the form, something like military camouflage. A snake came into play here because the graphic pattern of snake skin makes it very difficult to define the appearance of this creature. The design of the snake acts as an infiltrator, capable of camouflaging and making everything around it disappear. The design came from a backpack. We scanned the pattern and enlarged it to the required size. Switching scales for façade templates was simple. We were able to quickly test a part in its original size directly on the façade. The first impression was great. In an instant, I saw how all the ugly corners and edges, large windows, and protruding balcony areas disappeared - everything blended with the pattern.

It sounds like an architectural game of hide-and-seek.
ÉF: Yes, I see something, and at the same time, I see nothing! Materiality is very important in our profession. In the neighborhood, the houses are in ordinary colors. I didn't want another painted building; I wanted a building with real material. PREFA façade templates were exactly what we needed. We chose anthracite and silver colors, and we also included two intermediate shades, light gray and natural aluminum. We wanted to use an industrially produced product with long durability, which is why we chose façade templates. Moreover, minor seismic activities can manifest in Grenoble, so stability, reliable installation, and precise work were important. One challenge was to adjust the templates to the different heights of the façade. In the end, the result summed up a series of detailed solutions, and the façade contractor did a good job.

Template by template on the way to an impressive design
Facade expert Patrick Gaide stands in front of Le Python during the interview with justified pride. He is also pleased with the newly acquired know-how. Le Python and its façade - an object and performance that cannot be overlooked. Le Python is one of many residential projects in the new urban district of Presqu'ile de Grenoble. Patrick Gaide from ACEM in Saint Martin d'Héres was responsible for the realization of the unique façade design with snake design. Planning, preparation, and detailed calculations were carried out together with architect Édouard François and Richard Gevaudan from Alpes Contrôles, and of course with PREFA technicians.

Mr. Gaide, tell us more about Le Python and its façade!
Patrick Gaide: It is a reinforced concrete building with a ventilated façade. The size of the "snake" façade is extraordinary; a total of 1,500 m² was installed, which corresponds to about 47,000 templates. Initially, a PREFA instructor was also present on the construction site, who advised us on the details. That helped us a lot. We received an exact drawing from the architect of the simulated snake skin, with information on where each façade element should be placed. Template by template, the installation progressed point by point. On each piece of the corresponding color, i.e., light gray, natural aluminum, or PREFA white, a number was indicated that helped us arrange them correctly.

Why was the choice of PREFA material for this unusual façade cladding a good idea?
PG: Initially, zinc was considered, but only large formats were available, which the architect did not like very much. Fortunately, we came across PREFA and its large selection of façade elements in various colors. You can see the impressive result for yourself. This was the first time we worked with PREFA material; we were curious and wanted to take on the challenge. At first glance, it is evident that the choice of material was correct. It was a perfect combination of the right template shape and suitable color. Additionally, there is a guarantee of color stability and high quality of the material. We could repeat this interview here in twenty years, and I'm sure the building will still look the same.

A building that definitely polarizes. Do you personally like it?
PG: During my work as a façade contractor, I have completed many projects and seen a lot, but this project is truly original. I can now say: "I did the Python in Grenoble." That is a great reference. While we were working on the construction site, many people, locals and tourists alike, came daily to take photos of the building. Some like it, others don’t, but in any case, it is unique and can be seen from afar.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Project name: Le Python, Grenoble
Country: France
Object, location: residential building, Grenoble
Type of building: new construction
Architect: Edouard François, Paris
Realization: Patrick Gaide, ACEM, Saint Martin d'Héres
Type of façade: PREFA façade template 20 x 20
Façade color: P.10 anthracite, P.10 light gray, natural aluminum, silver metallic