Mermet at the Musée de l'Homme, a rock-solid mastery of light

The protection of works at the heart of the subject

Partly dating from the first Universal Exhibition of 1878, the Musée de l'Homme, located within the Palais de Chaillot and oriented east-west, has just reopened after 6 years of construction.

A metamorphosis for this building classified as a Historic Monument that the architects wanted to restore to space and light: "We made small incisions in this building to give it new clarity, we looked for a way to preserve the views while ensuring the conservation of objects. »Olivier Brochet, Architect architect.

But also a successful bet since, beyond taking into account a double constraint, respect for the building and that of the history of the institution, are now revealed a magnificent perspective and spectacular views of the Seine and Eiffel Tower.

In addition to a return to the original canopy, the project recommended in the heart of the Museum, the creation of a 2 m500 Human Gallery benefiting from natural lighting provided by large bay windows to punctuate the space.

These large openings are thus fitted with interior blinds mounted on a double ceiling rail for:

• highlight the ambitious simplicity of the renovation,
• form a transparent, dematerialized and modular wall,
• promote the concentration of visitors,
• contribute to the museum journey by drawing visitors away from the large bays to lead them to more intimate interior spaces,
• protect collections exposed to direct sunlight.

The M-Screen, The high-performance decorative solution

Available in 36 colors, several widths (200, 250 cm) including a large width of 320 cm for 13 colors in the range, the M-Screen 8505 is today the "most decorative" of Mermet fabrics.

But, beyond its aesthetic characteristics, it is also its excellent simultaneous performances that made all the difference:

• its opening coefficient of 5% effectively protects from glare while providing optimal transparency,
• classified M1, the M-Screen 8505 meets the requirements of establishments open to the public,
• thanks to its composition in coated glass strands, it has great mechanical resistance, good dimensional stability, as well as excellent durability (mechanical endurance test of 10.000 cycles: class 3 NF EN 13120)

For this project, the color 0202 White has been:

• chosen to better control the heat, it rejects 75% of solar energy (gtot = 0,25 / glazing g = 0,32 and U = 1,1),
• selected to optimize the supply of natural light: 79% of light rays are filtered (Tv = 21%) and to protect works with 95% of UV rays blocked,
• validated by the architect of Bâtiments de France for his qualities of integration into the architecture of the Museum.

The 60 blinds of 1350 cm x 1350 cm were manufactured and installed by the company CYB Stores.

Unveil the works of art in broad daylight, exhibit fragile collections in full light?

After the Museum of Toulouse, the Gadagne Museum in Lyon, the recent Museum of the Order of the Liberation in Paris, the future Louvre in Abu Dhabi… Mermet proves once again, with the Museum of Man, the effectiveness of his tissues.

Sun protection now authorizes all desires: perhaps this is the start of a new era for all museography.

• Owner: National Museum of Natural History - Museum of Man - Palais de Chaillot
• Delegated Contracting Authority: CIPO
• agent architect: Pike Lajus Pueyo Agency
• Associate Architect: Emmanuel Nebout workshop
• Blinds manufacturer - Installer - Installer: CYB Blinds
• Museographer: Zen + Deco
• BET: Setec Building
• Light plastic artist: Full-scale
• Construction economics: Alain Mazet