BüPA Architectures have transformed a dental clinic in Bordeaux (Gironde-France) by renovating the existing building and grafting on an additional floor, covered entirely in DuPont ™ Corian® high tech surface material.
Corian® exterior cladding at the Eric Normand dental clinic in Bordeaux. Courtesy of the agency BüPA Architectures, photo Denis Lacharme, all rights reserved.
Choosing Corian® in Glacier White colour to clad the building, which covers a total area of 450m2, architect Frantz Bülher was seduced by the exceptional freedom of expression offered by this high tech material. He was also impressed by its durability, having seen the Corian® façade of the Seekoo hotel in Bordeaux (also in Glacier White colour): few materials retain such intensity of white over time.
One of the exceptional elements of the renovation is that the DuPont ™ Corian® cladding is on a wooden frame, which is a real technical innovation.
Seventy panels of Corian® (in Glacier White colour) were processed by fabricator Ateliers St-André (ASA) to create a façade without visible joints, which integrates exterior moldings around the windows.
DuPont ™ Corian® exterior cladding at the Eric Normand dental clinic in Bordeaux. Courtesy of the agency BüPA Architectures, photo Denis Lacharme, all rights reserved.
Ateliers St-André (ASA) were also responsible for the broader technical feasibility of the project, the timber frame and all on-site implementation. The work was conducted in close collaboration with the DuPont ™ Corian ® technical centre – covering the expansion stresses, sealants and fixings, as well as aesthetic aspects – ensuring the success of this unprecedented use of Corian®.
Cleverly integrating the existing stone, DuPont ™ Corian® creates a perfect synergy between the old and new architectural elements. The joints are invisible, which enables a beautiful flowing design.
The smooth, immaculate appearance of Corian® enhances the medical function of the building while bringing a modern touch to the traditional Bordeaux architecture of the existing building.
The futuristic interior space of the clinic reflects the philosophy of the owner Eric Normand, a dedicated and passionate practician, and incorporates the latest technological advances.
DuPont ™ Corian® exterior cladding at the Eric Normand dental clinic in Bordeaux. Courtesy of the agency BüPA Architectures, photo Denis Lacharme, all rights reserved.
The flexibility of DuPont ™ Corian® has allowed the architect to design a curved reception area, fabricated by Ateliers St-André (SAA), that contributes to the high-tech environment.
In the reception area – and also the kitchen and laboratories – furniture in DuPont ™ Corian® Glacier White sculps the interior while different finishes (matt or polished and shiny) create added visual interest.
Laboratory countertops made of Corian®. Photos Ateliers St-André (ASA), all rights reserved.
