Bespoke architectural design
Architectural design represents the largest part of Crézé's scope of work. There is plenty of room for creativity and for using a number of different materials such as steel, brass, stainless steel or bronze, whilst applying varying textures, patinas and finishes to suit your every desire.
We cater for limitless diversity in our creations. Artists, architects, designers, decorators, fitters or design offices are entirely free to personalise their creations and enhance their areas, places and concepts and they see fit.
For private home-owners, each room in the house can accommodate a unique creation: a staircase, a banister, an indoor glass wall, a shower screen, a wall light, door handles, a stylish piece of furniture, decorative objects, etc.
In public heritage sites, many different creations are also possible: from a reception area to a museum display, footbridge or candelabra...we do our very best to draw passers-by into visiting all these remarkable places.
For companies, our structures can be an incredible way of communicating both in a striking and differentiating manner.
Urban walking paths, company head offices, heritage buildings, memorials, works of art...here is a sneak peak of our creations.
Tailored stainless steel fittings in Paris
Brushed stainless steel with champagne hue and curved glazing
For this refurbishment of a luxury residence on Bd Malesherbes in Paris, Crézé provided all stainless steel fittings, including three automatic vestibules, lift sprays and plinths, all with a champagne varnish that still allows the brushed finish to be seen. The 3D curved glass is an exclusive feature in itself, and was created through a close collaboration between Crézé and Goude Glass. A very contemporary project with beautiful curves, designed by Archibuild.
Japanese pathway at Château des Loges
The cherry on the icing for the park
This fine elegant bridge drawing inspiration from Japan disguises its size well: 19 m long and 3 m wide, while being strong enough to support a 10 T tractor for maintaining the wooded island. Around the lake is a terrace fitted with an ironwork guardrail.
Many thanks to the landscaping firm Couasnon for the great collaboration on this project!
Creation of stylish object
Hervé Perrin - Le Cendrier (The Ashtray)
Steel, stainless steel, brass and all their variants (wax, patina, polishing) can adorn a private owner’s home: staircases, banisters, chimney hoods, bathroom accessories, wall lights, fountains and various decorative objects.
Each and every project is unique and has a single goal in mind: to meet the customer’s desires and find its natural place within an existing environment. Refined shapes, elegant curves, functional or stylish objects – anything can be invented and modelled…Simple shapes and elegant materials intertwine so each item can find its place.
These materials also have a place in public areas for welcoming visitors:
- Indoors: reception area, railings, museum displays, ornamental chandelier or door handles.
- Outdoors, with special treatment: signs or poster fixtures, shop displays or candelabras.
Lanterns at the Peninsula
Copper and brass lanterns
The Peninsula’s lanterns were made according to the drawings provided by the AFFINE Richard MARTINET firm.
They are attached to the façade of a luxury Parisian hotel, and light up its front face.
The materials used include copper for the structure and the ornamental brass castings were gilded with gold leaf. The copper was burnished.
Beyond the lanterns’ visible simplicity and their sober elegance hides a delicate structure and its finishes: it was up to us to comply with the architect’s project and at the same time tie in all the technical constraints – harmony of the rounded blown glass, required watertightness – without withholding any of the desired aesthetics.
Assembly was ensured in our workshops, and we also took care of on-site installation.
Memorial in Bruz
Corten steel patina
The real name of Corten steel is: steel with improved atmospheric corrosion resistance.
A while ago, we realised that adding copper to mild steel improves its resistance to corrosion.
Other alloy components such as chromium, nickel, phosphorus and aluminium were used to create steel variants that become more resistant to corrosion in certain environments.
Steels with improved atmospheric corrosion resistance are low-alloyed steels, referred to as weathering steels or self-weathering steels – because in certain exposure conditions they are able to cover themselves with a protective coating known as patina.
Memorial in Bruz (35) made of Corten sheet metal. Corten steel patina.
Eiffel Tower logo
Brass and steel patina
The Eiffel Tower logo symbolises Paris, its elegance and its technological prowess.
The transposition of a smaller-scale logo at the entrance of the Galeries Lafayette was intended for more symbolism, to arouse the curiosity of passers-by: taut cables held by small balls and attached onto a see-through panel for a modern and discrete display.
Looking at a wider vision to focus on the full shape of the design instead of its details, the overall imprint remains in the eye and visitors are reminded of the symbol that helps them understand the full picture.
The drawing of this miniature Eiffel Tower was inspired by string art, whose main asset is the continuity of lines in a given space. Once the project had been drawn up, the fixtures were attached onto the Plexiglas, and from then on the cables simply needed to be affixed. Ultimate stage: the wooden display unit that looks exactly like neighbouring displays will ensure the public’s safety when walking around the work.
Height: 3.60 metres – 3 millimetre cable – Diameter of the stainless steel circle: 6 centimetres.
Mitterrand mall
Metalwork for outdoor furnitures
When arriving in Rennes, the lay-out of the Mitterrand Mall offers a new vision of the city’s perspectives – a city that is so pleasant to stroll around.
Metalwork was given star billing: footbridges and galvanised steel staircases, brass banisters with stainless steel handrails.
These features fit into a natural environment with benches for tired walkers, decorative structures and play areas for children and adults alike.
Sculptures
Sculptures forged using stainless steel "water - earth - fire - air"
Artists or those who love art will not be outdone.
Be it from our collaboration with Michel de Broin, or the small and discrete sculptures under the Galeries Lafayette skylight. They included us in their project and gave us full control of it. For the greatest delight of all those who love to wander around new places.
The four small sculptures – created by Rémi Crézé – brought the final touch to the creative vision of the Galeries Lafayette skylight project.
Carmen
Metal sculpture by Annick Leroy
From the staircase to the slope, the effort put in was as big as the upward slope itself – and it was particularly steep, even for a lovely Breton lady named Carmen!
We worked in support of the artist (Annick Leroy) to ensure the delicate installation of her sculpture: Carmen is riding up a rope and her balance is ensured by a 200-kg counterweight.
Railings in front of the courthouse in Lorient
Ironwork that brings a strong graphic identity
Design of a very high powder-coated railing, used as a protective vestibule at the entrance of the courthouse. The ironwork, lacquered in gold, boasts varying numbers of twists to avoid the feeling of repetition. The entrance is adorned with an automated sliding gate. A creation full of character.
Hall in Paris
Sober design of an entrance hall and a courtyard
Modernity and sobriety were key words when creating this Parisian entrance hall combined with a welcoming inner courtyard, with its curved and relaxing lines.
The inner architectural design boasts an interesting textured effect with the black and waxed metallised, sanded, patina steel sheeting. The lift’s sprays are made of 8 mm-thick curved sheet metal. The signpost is made of 15 mm aged, patina, waxed sheet metal.
With regard to the inner courtyard, the benches on the suspended footbridge that hangs above the garden are made of patina, varnished steel sheeting. The stylish ashtray is made with shiny polished stainless steel.
Samsic head office in Cesson-Sévigné
Custom design layout with metallic structure
An original and large-scale creation for Samsic’s head office. The ornamental powder-coated metallic structure is decorated with opal laminated glass. The overall architecture was founded on the effect of a projected drop of water, offering visitors curved buildings – like waves emanating from a central axis. Water – as the symbol of Brittany – and greenery have pride of place here, namely thanks to the Asian-inspired gardens.
The “drop of water” building is surmounted with a glass dome. This roof aims to turn a constraint (hiding technical equipment, namely the air-conditioning and heating units) into an easily-recognisable architectural feat, visible from Rennes’ ring-road.
The entrance hall is bedecked with a steel and glass curtain wall to make movement easier within the building, with the help of banisters, footbridges and a lift. The glass floor reflects the architectural elements and reinforces the building’s depth.
At the very top of this hall, visitors can admire the monumental sculpture created by Annick Leroy – an artist from Rennes – which is a reproduction of the photography “Lunchtime atop a skyscraper” taken in 1932 during the construction of the Rockefeller Center in New York. The structure’s ceiling needed to be reinforced to support this work and welcome the seven characters on their girder, weighing a total of 1.3 tonnes.