Located on the right bank of the Garonne River in Bordeaux, the modern-day district of La Bastide has undergone a remarkable process of regeneration, transforming it into the premier destination for concerts, cultural events and social gatherings. Within this vibrant context, the French firm TLR was entrusted with the renovation of Clinique Ophtalmologique Thiers, a medical centre specialising in laser eye surgery and widely acclaimed for its expertise in cataract and retina treatment.
The objective of the expansion project was twofold: to expand the clinic’s floor area from 4,800 to 5,400 square metres and to provide the building envelope with a fresh identity, all while adhering to stringent environmental sustainability standards.
Describing the project’s inception, principal architect Mickaël Martin remarked: “The initial technical challenge centred on the building’s unique form.” The building bears a striking resemblance to an ocean liner, featuring a pristine white exterior reminiscent of a cruise ship. White plays a pivotal role in TRL’s design, extending to the façades, roof and attic. To maintain a cohesive and harmonious aesthetic throughout the structure, it was imperative to identify a versatile, high-performance material capable of cladding the various portions of the envelope.
The ideal solution was proposed by Laminam, whose tiles possess remarkable versatility, making them well-suited for various applications, including floors, walls, countertops and façade cladding. Specifically, the architect selected tiles from the Collection series in the Bianco Assoluto full-body colour variant with a polished finish.
In this case, sustainability was achieved through two different avenues. First, these tiles exhibit exceptional durability, being resistant to impacts, scratches, stains and the elements, thus ensuring an extended service life – a pivotal aspect of sustainability. Second, they have an “active” function thanks to a bioactive treatment that enables them to absorb pollutants present in the air and water (such as VOCs, NOx and SOx) and transform them into harmless elements. This treatment, for instance, inhibits the growth of moss and lichen while purifying the air that comes into contact with the tile surface.
The clients are clearly delighted with the outcome, stating: “We now have an exquisite building whose exterior perfectly mirrors our cutting-edge technology and the high-quality service provided by our clinic.”
