Under Paris skies, the golden dome of the Orthodox Church

Saturday 19 March, the Russian Orthodox spiritual and cultural centre, being built by Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France-Construction Privée, was adorned with a great golden dome, the most impressive of the five domes that will top the building upon its completion.

Newcomer in the sky of Paris, the great dome, now visible from the Pont de l’Alma, was hoisted 37 meters above the ground by crane, thereby allowing the building to dominate the banks of the Seine. This extra-large dome is impressive because of its exceptional measurements: 10 tons, 15 metres high, and 11 metres in diameter.

A “made in France” world first

In addition to its size, it also stands out because of its manufacturing process, different from traditional techniques beginning with a wooden or metal frame, covered with sheets of gilded brass, slate or ceramic. For this particular project, architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte wanted to create completely smooth domes in order to maintain the aesthetics of a traditional dome, but by using composite materials, widely used in the aerospace and shipbuilding industries, but virtually absent in the building industry.

So this was a world first for the project teams who hired, for design and built, two French partners, leaders in their field: Multiplast, a Breton company that manufactures large multihull racing vessels around the world, and Gohard, gilder of historical monuments. Beyond its innovative character, this manufacturing process presents real advantages in terms of weight and turnaround times, the domes being pre-fabricated during the execution of the main work.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

_TSR6358

Russian Orthodox spiritual and cultural centre ©Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France

Télécharger l‘image

Pose du dome sur CCOR.Bouygues Bat. Paris 75007. 18 mars 2016

Russian Orthodox spiritual and cultural centre ©Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France

Télécharger l‘image

Pose du dome sur CCOR.Bouygues Bat. Paris 75007. 18 mars 2016

Russian Orthodox spiritual and cultural centre ©Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France

Télécharger l‘image

Pose du dome sur CCOR.Bouygues Bat. Paris 75007. 18 mars 2016

Russian Orthodox spiritual and cultural centre ©Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France

Télécharger l‘image

Pose du dome sur CCOR.Bouygues Bat. Paris 75007. 18 mars 2016

Russian Orthodox spiritual and cultural centre ©Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France

Télécharger l‘image

A major step for the project

Now crowned with its biggest dome, the Russian Orthodox Spiritual and Cultural Centre enters its final phase of construction. Composed of four distinct entities, the program provides for the creation of:
– A cultural centre including a library, exhibition halls and a cafeteria.
– An Orthodox cathedral.
– A parish centre including a 200-seat auditorium and foyer, offices for the cultural department of the Russian Embassy in France and furnished apartments.
– A primary school for 150 Franco-Russian students.

The entire project, designed with an eye to HQE® Aménagement certification, is subject to clean site regulations and will respect the Climate Plan of the City of Paris and the Biodiversity Plan.

Find out more about the project in the press kit.