In Aubagne, Rehau adapts a balcony threshold to the accessibility requirements of Parc Moulin

On the Parc Moulin construction site in Aubagne, REHAU Window Solutions worked with Cogedim to develop an extended balcony threshold adapted to casement windows. Manufactured by Deltabaie, the windows for the project incorporate profiles designed by the same manufacturer.

The treatment of balcony access was identified early on as one of the sensitive technical aspects of the project. In this type of operation, the threshold must provide the interface between the joinery, the waterproofing, and the exterior cladding, while also facilitating the movement of occupants, particularly people with reduced mobility.

"In this type of operation, the threshold is a key point. It directly conditions the comfort of the residents and the ease of movement, in particular for people with reduced mobility," recalls Thierry Chambragne, former technical director of Cogedim.

A solution designed for a terrace on pedestals

The choice of casement frames for all balconies required reconciling several requirements: limiting the level change between the interior and exterior, maintaining the sealing functions and integrating the joinery into the facade complex.

Cogedim and REHAU began the design work before the installation phase to avoid late adjustments on site. The specifications were first defined, then several options were explored with the manufacturer's research and development teams.

The chosen solution was then subjected to rapid prototyping and validation before the manufacturing of tooling and the launch of technical tests.

The extended threshold must ensure continuity between the interior and exterior spaces and adapt to the terrace system composed of slabs on pedestals. According to REHAU, its geometry also improves crossing comfort for all occupants.

A transport profile reused as a positioning wedge

The development is partly based on a component already present in the REHAU range. Initially used to protect the joinery during transport, this profile is now retained during installation.

It then fulfills a second function as a shim for installation and, according to the manufacturer, contributes to addressing the thermal break under the chassis. This reuse made it possible to integrate an existing component into the solution rather than developing all of its components from scratch.

“This type of approach changes the relationship with manufacturers. We no longer correct at the end of the process, we build the solution together from the start,” emphasizes Thierry Chambragne.

A design compatible with existing production lines

Although developed specifically for the Parc Moulin project, the new threshold was designed to be manufactured without modifying existing production lines. REHAU therefore plans to transform this solution, unique to the Aubagne construction site, into a replicable model for other multi-family housing projects facing similar constraints.

The company states that it handles more than one hundred custom development requests each year. These projects can involve window accessories, roller shutter boxes, PVC joinery, eco-designed ranges, or the improvement of existing products.

This organization relies on in-house control of several stages, from design and testing to the production of the materials used to manufacture the profiles. REHAU also cites QB33, QB34, and QB59 certifications among the standards associated with its activities.

Co-design to anticipate technical interfaces

The Parc Moulin construction project illustrates the value of involving the developer, project manager, window and door manufacturer, and profile designer earlier in the process. This organizational structure allows for addressing technical interfaces before implementation and verifying the industrial feasibility of the chosen solution.

In the case of Aubagne, the approach focused on a less visible but crucial element for the daily use of the dwellings. It made it possible to develop a threshold that takes into account the manufacturing of the joinery, the installation conditions, the waterproofing of the terrace, and the passage by the occupants.