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About this data sheet:
Structure-ID: s0000019
Created on: 10/28/98
Modified on: 11/21/08


CNIT

Centre des nouvelles industries et technologies
Built: 1956 - 1958
Status: in use
Location: Paris-La Défense, Hauts-de-Seine (92), Ile de France, France and Puteaux, Hauts-de-Seine (92), Ile de France, France
CNIT, La Défense
Click on the image to enlarge it.
There is a total of 15 images.
Structural Type:
Double thin shell
Function / usage:
Congress center
Part of: Paris-La Défense

Persons involved with this structure
Legend: Phase of works
RoleNamePart of structure 
Architect Robert Edouard Camelot
  Jean de Mailly
  Bernard Louis Zehrfuss
Engineer Nicolas Esquillan shell
  Jean Prouvé façade
Consultant Pier Luigi Nervi

Firms, offices, etc. involved with this structure
Legend: Phase of works
RoleNamePart of structure 
Co-contractor Balancy et Schuhl
  Boussiron
  Coignet

Technical information
DescriptionValue
Construction materials used
shell  reinforced concrete
Dimensions
  covered area 22 500 m2
  distance between supports 218 m
  clearance 46.30 m

Chronology
1988
The inside is gutted completely and refurbished with a new interior.

Notes & Comments
The building is the largest concrete shell in the world in terms of square footage of area covered per support.
An alternative design with same overall shape, but with diamond ribbing was proposed by Pier Luigi Nervi.
The construction was done by a temporary consortium of firms called SOCODEF. Some of the participating firms are listed above.

Relevant Web Sites
The following external links open in a new window. Structurae is not responsible for their content nor endorses it.
External LinkarchINFORM: Centre National des Industries Techniques English German French Spanish Italian
External LinkCNIT: Official Web Site French
External LinkCNIT: Official Web Site English
External LinkLe Moniteur: Interview des créateurs du Cnit sur le chantier French

Relevant Literature
* La plus grande surface couverte en béton armé, appuyée uniquement aux trois sommets d'un triangle (22 000 m2). La plus grande portée de voûte en béton armé (218m)., in "Travaux", January 1992, n. 672 .
* Visite du C.N.I.T., in "Travaux", September 1958, n. 287 .
* Abram, Joseph   L'architecture moderne en France de 1889 à nos jours (Tome 2), Editions Picard, Paris (France) , ISBN 270840556X, 1999; pp. 162-163.
* Balency-Béarn, André   Présentation du Palais du CNIT, in "Travaux", June 1959, n. 296 .
* de Senneville, Gérard   La Défense, Éditions Albin Michel, Paris (France) , ISBN 2226061347, 1992; pp. 36.
* Deswarte, Sylvie   L'architecture et les ingénieurs, Moniteur, Paris (France) , ISBN 2281190994, 1997; pp. 69.
* Esquillan, Nicolas   Palais du CNIT: Couverture [1], in "Travaux", June 1959, n. 296 .
* Esquillan, Nicolas   Palais du CNIT: Généralités, in "Travaux", June 1959, n. 296 .
* Faessel, Pierre   Palais du CNIT: Couverture [3], in "Travaux", June 1959, n. 296 .
* Lacombe, Gilbert   Histoire du CNIT, presented at .
* Lacombe, Gilbert   Palais du CNIT: Couverture [4], in "Travaux", June 1959, n. 296 .
* Lacombe, Gilbert   Palais du CNIT: Planchers et escaliers, in "Travaux", June 1959, n. 296 .
* Lemoine, Bertrand   100 Monuments du XXe Siècle, Editions France Loisirs, Paris (France) , ISBN 2744134961, 2000.
* Marrey, Bernard   Nicolas Esquillan, Picard Editeur, Paris (France) , ISBN 2708404369, 1992; pp. 88-111.
* Milbert, J.   Palais du CNIT: Exécution des travaux, in "Travaux", June 1959, n. 296 .
* Perzo, René   Palais du CNIT: Couverture [2], in "Travaux", June 1959, n. 296 .
* Picon, Antoine   L'art de l'ingénieur, Éditions du Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris (France) , ISBN 2858509115, 1997; pp. 126-128.

 
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