As part of the Beton Brut seminar class students engage in Active Learning Field Excursions, one of which was the visit to Notre Dame de Raincy by Auguste Perret. Designed and constructed as a showcase of the abilities of reinforced concrete as a structural building material. Economic reuse of formwork throughout the church creates a repetitive language of elements, as well as a set of precast concrete blocks; (3) primary blocks with different designs and (2) secondary filler blocks; which are reused throughout the walls to create different patterns along the same crucifix outline throughout each wall section. The incredible strength of reinforced concrete is showcased by the walls seemingly made purely of glass. Another important aspect of this visit was that Dean Tsolakis and Director Ghandour were present visiting the Paris Studio
View from the entrance of Notre Dame de Raincy.
An detail image of a column/beam/roof connection with visible evidence of the formwork used in the making process.
Cross section view at the foot of the alter showing the magnificent color changes between wall sections.
Detail image of the flexibility of the precast concrete blocks used in the wall systems, here used as a detail in the roof.
Example of the enormous scale of the church especially when compared to the thin vertical elements.
The Paris Studio pictured with Dean Tsolakis and Director Ghandour.