Client: Ville d’Albertville
Architects: Blanchi & Jaquet, Albertville
Contractors: Entreprises Barlet St. Symphorien des Bois & Foray, Villard Léger

The main timber roof structure of this gymnasium is an elegant and efficient solution using glulam frames, subtensioned by doubled steel tie rods. The paired timber principals are cranked members of rectangular section, having a slight taper from crown to tip. The crown area is curved laminated – there is no structural pin at this position.

Triangulation of each frame is achieved by means of a central vertical timber strut, sandwiched at its head between the crowns of the main beam halves. From here it drops from beneath the crowns of the beams to provide central connections for the tie rod arrangement. The reinforced concrete columns on which these simple triangulated frames sit achieve lateral building stability through their encastré bases. The curtain walls are on a secondary timber framework concealed within the inner and outer wood linings, while cavity insulation, vapour barriers, breather membranes and correct ventilation are, of course, incorporated. Without being inaccessible, or causing potential water-trapping, the rainwater drainage is integrated into the structure and its cladding, and, for aesthetic reasons, hollow non-structural timber posts cover the down-pipes, which are located at the main reinforced concrete verticals.

A flat topped, slightly tilted timber canopy overhangs one elevation, its glulam cantilever supports carrying straight longitudinal purlins, with the tips of the cantilevers protected by means of capping and tied down to the reinforced concrete posts to prevent wind uplift.

To avoid external views at the athletes’ eye level, horizontal slit windows are placed at the tops of the walls and on the open façade, where a cantilevered canopy shades them from too much sunlight.