Forum: a jigsaw of expanded metal

The Forum building in St. Louis (France), which is in the border region and a part of the agglomeration of the Basel in Switzerland, is a multifunctional building for sports and cultural events. The building measures 5,713 m2 and it consists of thirteen different shapes that fit together like a jigsaw. The walls and roof are covered with copper-red expanded metal so that the building merges into the surroundings while being strikingly present at the same time. The Forum won the prestigious 'German Design Award 2017' in the public building category in July 2016.

Technical expertise

Architect Manuelle Gautrand got Métal Déployé involved at an early stage of the project. The technical team investigated how the expanded metal panels had to be mounted on the different shapes in the building. The 3400 panels of Supreme 200XXL expanded metal were then made to measure by Métal Déployé. The panels were powder coated in a natural copper colour that results in the desired colour and light effects, and the perfect integration of the building in the surroundings. The same expanded metal was used for the reception desk in the entrance, unifying the inside and outside of the building.

Energy-saving shell

To keep the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the building as low as possible, the façade was covered with 10,000 m2 of expanded metal. This shell of expanded metal provides enough transparency, protects the building effectively from the sun and rain, and provides natural ventilation.