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The elegant glass extension from the 1930s, which characterises the former Wilmotte & Industries design studio at 59 Rue de Charonne in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, has undergone extensive thermal and acoustic upgrading. The renovation successfully combines the building's architectural heritage with modern requirements for comfort, usability and durability. The new glazing with FINEO vacuum insulating glass has enabled contemporary building physics standards to be achieved without altering the existing substructure.

For the 2024 renovation, the internationally active architectural firm Wilmotte & Associés applied the same conceptual and qualitative standards as those used for its large-scale projects. In this context, Georges Kallas, the firm's lead architect and project manager, refers to the new Maison de la Cosmétique building in Chartres. This building blends harmoniously into the historic surroundings of the famous Gothic cathedral, and its delicate, understated enameled glass façade subtly emphasises the historic character of the wooden structure.

 

 

Every project, whether simple or complex, goes beyond merely overcoming technical challenges. Each one follows a clearly recognisable signature that combines ethical standards, design precision and materiality with sensitive architecture. This approach is particularly evident in concepts that question the use of space and materials in their respective contexts, revealing the history of a place while giving it a new architectural future with respect to its past. “We develop surfaces and details with the utmost care to achieve aesthetic congruence that complies with the applicable specifications. Our goal is to create a new quality of living and experience that transcends the building itself,” Kallas continues.

 

The Art Deco glass façade of the former Wilmotte & Industries design studio emphasises the building's elegance. While employees appreciated the subtle interplay of glass and metal, the historic construction no longer met today's energy and acoustic requirements. "As the owners' association wanted to preserve the historic appearance, we renovated the T-metal beams of the substructure and fitted them with FINEO glazing, which is perfectly compatible." Thanks to the system's low installation height, the original structure is preserved while the glazing achieves performance values comparable to triple glazing,” explains Kallas. Ceramic warm edge spacers were used for larger panes measuring more than 40 x 150 cm. This increases protection against glass breakage and possible external impacts. The precise implementation was carried out by Verre & Métal, a company established in 1921 with proven expertise in glass and metal construction. FINEO 8 laminated with 4 mm clear single-pane safety glass was chosen for the project. This glass construction blends seamlessly with the 1930s style, combining historical substance with contemporary comfort.

 

 

Clément Lemoine, Product Manager and Market Strategist at FINEO by AGC, emphasises: ‘The key innovation of FINEO glazing lies in the sealed, vacuum-packed space between two panes of glass, which is only 0.1 millimetres thick and enables both very high energy efficiency and unprecedented slimness.’ He continues: 'This exceptionally small vacuum space drastically reduces heat exchange between the two panes, providing excellent thermal insulation with a Ug value of 0.7 W/(sqm.K) and a total thickness of just 6.7 millimetres in the minimal version. The same applies to sound insulation, measured by the Rw value, which reaches 36 decibels in standard configurations and up to 45 decibels in laminated glass versions incorporating AGC's Stratophone acoustic insulation glass. FINEO thus combines high performance and durability ideally in a historic and listed context. ‘Our laboratory tests confirm thermal and acoustic integrity for over 60 years. For the carefully renovated glass studio on Rue de Charonne in Paris, this means a long and bright future,” Lemoine assures.

AGC was the first manufacturer to obtain CE marking for its FINEO vacuum insulating glass. Moreover, FINEO stands out as the first and only vacuum insulating glass with a third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) achieving an exceptionally low CO₂ values of up to 18.9 kg/sqm in the low-carbon version.