Tubesca-Comabi engaged in the restoration of the Reformed Church in Marseille

As part of this large-scale project within this emblematic church, perched at the top of the Canebière, the work which will take place in 3 stages aims to change the stones, clean and consolidate the building, as well as that the creation of ornaments (decorations, hooks, florets and gargoyles) identical to those which had been removed in 1930.

Today classified as the Supplementary Inventory of Historical Monuments (ISMH), with all its interior also classified as a Historic Monument (MH), this church is one of the most beautiful monuments in Marseille. Built in 1611, it comes from the old chapel of the Augustinians Reformed. It was then destroyed to be replaced by the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul church, built between 1852 and 1890. Moreover, some sculptures were never completed, especially on the porches where we can see many. splicing.

An ambitious restoration project

In order to take charge of this prestigious site, TUBESCA-COMABI was selected as part of the call for tenders launched in 2018 and started the assembly of scaffolding on September 23, 2019. Lasting 6 weeks, the assembly took place in three stages (a first between the ground and 20 m, a second between 20 m and 40 m and a third between 40 m and 72 m) and required the mobilization of 12 fitters.

Almost 250 tonnes of material had to be secured between the interior and exterior and on the two booms, with a total height of 72 m. A class 6 (600kg / m2) M368 multidirectional scaffolding from COMABI and platforms (23x12 m, or approximately 300 m2) located between 4 and 6 meters from the ground above the forecourt were installed to store the equipment. To serve the scaffolding levels and the supply of equipment, two construction elevators were also installed at each tower, by the partner company SGB. They can support up to two tons. The ground must not be cluttered to avoid any danger.

“We have designed a circular scaffolding from 43 m to 70 m in order to reduce the wind forces and therefore to minimize the efforts on the booms. The scaffolding is reinforced in 3 planes (length, width & height) by lattice and bracing beams so that it can cope with climatic and logistical constraints (given its position facing the sea). The scaffolding was also technically designed to accommodate future sculpture creations from the BOUVIER workshop (member of the group).

We intervened on the occupied site during all the installation phases of the site and the works. Traffic and signage paths have been put in place to respect the site and guarantee public safety. Moreover, given the unprecedented situation due to COVID-19, the site was stopped from March 17 to June 2, ”explains Jean-Baptiste SPINICCI, Technical and Commercial Director of Tubesca-Comabi.