La Tour Granite, Paris

Revitalizing La Tour Granite’s Facade through Retrofit Solutions

La Tour Granite, a striking skyscraper designed by renowned architect Christian de Portzamparc, stands as a prominent landmark in Paris. Its distinctive positive façade and curved profile present a unique challenge for building maintenance.

The building’s original guide system became unusable due to the accumulation of dirt, significantly hampering façade cleaning operations. In line with EN1808 regulations, which require façade guidance for cradles, the building’s maintenance operations were compromised. This led to increased costs and prolonged downtime, necessitating a swift and effective solution.

A Comprehensive Solution: Redefining Building Maintenance

 In coordination with our Façade Access Solutions team in France, CoxGomyl, the original BMU manufacturer, stepped in to deliver a precision-engineered retrofit solution. Our approach focused on addressing the specific challenges posed by La Tour Granite’s unique façade. The project encompassed a comprehensive overhaul, including:

• Thorough Assessment: A detailed survey of the building and existing BMU system pinpointed the root causes of operational issues.
• Innovative Design: CoxGomyl’s engineering team developed a cutting-edge guide system tailored to the building’s specific challenges, featuring a new soft rope system and redesigned lanyards.
• Expert Installation: The original team, who installed and tested the machine in 2008, performed the refurbishment and testing on site this year.
• Rigorous Testing: Comprehensive testing and commissioning, including a drop test, validated the system’s performance and safety.
• Remote Monitoring: Integration of remote monitoring will enable proactive maintenance and issue detection.

Beyond Cleaning: A Future-Proof System

To further enhance the building’s maintenance capabilities, CoxGomyl introduced remote monitoring technology. This advanced system allows for real-time monitoring, facilitating predictive maintenance and enabling rapid response to potential issues. By integrating the new guide system with remote monitoring, La Tour Granite significantly improved BMU efficiency, reduced operational costs, and extended the equipment’s lifespan.

The success of this project underscores CoxGomyl’s dedication to exceptional service, exemplified by the return of the original installation team for the retrofit. This commitment reflects the company’s value placed on the expertise and experience of its team.