In Toulouse, France, the national birthplace of aeronautics now functions as a dynamic office and event space full of daylight
Originally built in 1917 under the initiative of Pierre-Georges, Halles Latécoère was the birthplace of French aeronautics industrialization.
An iconic refurbishment project spans the ages
Once, three large halls were used to assemble warplanes. Today, a refurbishment project called ‘La Cité’ has seen an iconic building be transformed into a co-working space with meeting rooms, a 200-person conference room, restaurant, and event space available throughout halls that cover a total of 12,698 m² of floor space.
Enhanced roof structure provides optimal daylight
Central to design goals by architects Taillandier Architectes Associes was the preservation and enhancement of the space and infrastructure of the building. Retaining infrastructure also meant replacing rooflights.
VELUX Modular Skylights were chosen as they fit the building infrastructure perfectly and allowed for a fast and easy installation. Over three weeks, an average of 30 modules were installed each day, totaling 528 on completion. Additional sun protection is provided by coated glazing.
Skylights were specified with comfort and SHEV ventilation to provide fresh air and remove smoke in the event of a fire. The Modular Skylight system was also chosen for its uniform design and meets the needs of the building's new operations—the results are breathtaking.
Today, daylight fills co-working spaces full of people who come together in a building designed for innovation, originality, and creativity.