SPIE : active in promoting French heritage

Illuminating the wine press at Aÿ (51) is a case in point

Saint-Denis, 15 June 2021 - The Tertiaire division of SPIE Industrie & Tertiaire, a French subsidiary of the SPIE group, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, is involved in promoting and renovating French heritage. In Champagne-Ardenne, it is taking part in the restoration and illumination of an 1890 wine press, a task complicated by architectural constraints.

A local service promoting regional heritage

The Tertiaire division of SPIE Industrie & Tertiaire is used to renovation work and regularly takes part in projects that are subject to significant architectural constraints. Today, it is recognised for its expertise in this type of project. Its latest project is the electrical work package for the renovation of the old Pommery press in Aÿ Champagne (51). 'Some of the renovation has been carried out by local companies. Our local presence and expertise in electrical engineering were decisive in meeting the requirements of this unique project and the constraints imposed by this 19th century building', explains Yann Duvivier, Business Manager at SPIE.

A technical challenge to enhance historic buildings using illumination

In collaboration with Atelier Audibert, a lighting design specialist, the Tertiaire division created and installed the lights. The light show is a key feature of the building that catches the eye of the visitor. This involved the teams using a number of techniques and types of installations, such as:

· The creation of a bespoke chandelier consisting of 160 glass bubbles - a reference to champagne - with different effects created by a glass craftsman and then fitted with LEDs;
· The installation of 150m² of flexible, program-controlled LED screens behind transparent cladding;
· The integration of a hundred or so light points in outside areas: brushed concrete, steps, benches, green spaces, woodwork;
· The integration of LEDs cut on site into wooden ceilings.

'We have designed a sensory journey to give a new way of discovering this piece of history. The constraints of the building required specific techniques and interventions that the SPIE teams carried out meticulously, enabling them to enhance our regional heritage', explains Victor Canchon, Director of Pressoria.

This contract will enable the Tertiaire division to increase its visibility in local heritage development projects in the Grand Est region, where SPIE is continuing to expand.