The Art Deco façade of the former design studio by Wilmotte & Industries is characterized by slender metal profiles and large-format glass panes. However, the original single glazing no longer met current thermal and acoustic requirements. At the same time, preserving the building’s external appearance was a key objective.
Fineo
As part of the refurbishment, the existing T-shaped metal mullions were repaired and retained. The reglazing was carried out using vacuum insulating glass from Fineo, whose slim build-up allowed installation within the existing substructure. The project utilized the Fineo 8 configuration, laminated with clear single-pane safety glass.
The renovation was designed and overseen by the internationally active architectural firm Wilmotte & Associés.
How the Vacuum Glazing Works
The performance of the installed glazing is based on a hermetically sealed vacuum cavity approximately 0.1 mm thick between the two glass panes of the insulating unit. By eliminating convective and conductive heat transfer, the system achieves a Ug-value of 0.7 W/(m²K) with a total glass thickness of less than 7 mm.
In terms of acoustic performance, the system delivers a sound insulation value of around 36 decibels in standard configurations. Even higher values can be achieved in laminated versions incorporating specialized acoustic interlayers.
For larger panes measuring more than 40 × 150 cm, ceramic warm-edge spacers were additionally used. These improve protection against glass breakage and external mechanical influences.
Fineo
Project execution was carried out by Verre & Métal, a company founded in 1921 with extensive expertise in glass and metal construction.
Approvals and Environmental Performance
The vacuum insulating glass installed in the Paris atelier holds European approvals (CE marking) as well as a general construction approval issued by the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt). In addition, the product is listed with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in the INIES database, including variants with reduced CO₂ emissions.
According to Fineo, long-term studies indicate stable thermal and acoustic performance over several decades. This makes vacuum glazing particularly suitable for refurbishment projects in existing buildings where minimal glass thickness, high building-physics performance, and the preservation of existing structures are paramount.
Fineo
