undulating drape facade envelops co’met center in france

CO’Met – Arena, congress and convention center in Orléans

Ferrier Marchetti Studio, in collaboration with Chaix & Morel Associés and Populus, constructs ‘CO’Met’ Arena, a convention and exhibition center in Orléans, France. The multifunctional facility brings together three distinct programs enclosing them in a striking architectural gesture. The building puts up a unique sequence along the southern entrance to Orléans, shaping an undulating drape made of wavy perforated steel sheet covering the facade. The edifice hosts sports and cultural events installing the functions in a formation that stands both distinct and continuous to the urban fabric.

all images by Luc Boegly

the drape of the facade generates lightness and fluidity

CO’Met Arena by architects Ferrier Marchetti Studio expands its undulating skin formation generating lightness and fluidity to the structure. As a counterpoint to the large functional volumes, the facade shapes a fluid and soft architecture and extends out over all the facilities covering the external surfaces of the convention, exhibition, and sports center. The metal sheet develops a unitary pattern punctuated by the variation of curves that allow subtle light rays to come through the perforated plane. The lightweight semi-transparent skin adopts the colors of the sky and surrounding silhouettes and landscapes. The entrance to the building is achieved through a large open-air canopy connecting the volumes of the facility. The project is part of an ambitious sustainable development approach as it holds the most efficient sports program in France in terms of energy consumption. The volumes are entirely treated by geothermal energy, while the construction shows great frugality focusing on the design of the lightweight facades avoiding the use of an excessive amount of material.

the interior spaces interconnect for multifunctional scenarios

In the interior spaces, the concrete structure is left exposed, with no added material. Minimal consumption of resources creates a serene and solid scenery, attuned to the atmosphere of the events. The signage interventions are directly applied to the concrete walls and integrated into the architecture. Responding to climate issues the project focuses on an efficient building plan practicing multi-functionality to extend the intensity and the time slots for the use of the facilities. The 10,000-seat arena is designed to be modular and adaptable to several cultural and sporting events. The convention center stands as a direct continuation of the arena and the exhibition center with numerous scenarios combining the entirety or part of the spaces according to the inquired function.