The Champagne project with Remington Developments consists of five four- and five-storey buildings atop two interconnected levels of underground parking. The French provincial architecture features natural stone accents, steep-pitched rooflines, balconies, large windows, and arched detailing.
Total Precast Solution
A total precast solution was utilized for this project, selected for its resilience, inherent fire resistance, and construction efficiency—key requirements for this development. Precast elements included hollowcore floor slabs, shear walls, double wythe insulated wall panels, stairs, stairwells, and elevator shafts. This comprehensive approach simplified coordination between components and ensured a streamlined construction process.
Building Envelope
Special consideration was given to the building envelope, leveraging the expertise of a professional building envelope specialist. Lessons learned from Lafarge’s Habitat for Humanity net-zero demonstration project were incorporated into the design. The envelope comprises 7,998 square meters (86,000 square feet) of precast R-20 double wythe insulated panels engineered to withstand extreme weather events.
Efficient Construction and Detailing
The precast panels were installed using a 265-tonne crawler crane, which managed all the lifts from the street side of the structure, streamlining the construction process. Windows were pre-installed into the precast panels at the manufacturing facility during the winter, eliminating the need for temporary hoarding. Exterior finishes were also completed in the precast facility, ensuring consistent quality and enhancing the building’s appearance during all stages of construction.
The total precast approach not only accelerated the construction timeline but also enhanced the long-term performance and durability of the buildings. This innovative use of precast concrete in design, construction, and detailing highlights the material’s adaptability and superior performance while meeting the architectural and functional demands of this exceptional property.