[REX] Horizon Nature – Construction of 75 high-performance and responsible housing units in Montévrain (77, France)

Near the banks of the Marne, this project provides for the construction of 67 intermediate and collective housing units and 8 individual houses. The "Global Quality" approach of the Groupement des Industriels de la Prescription (GIP) was followed for the design of this project, in particular through the choice of quality and durable equipment and numerous innovations in terms of energy.

An effective project, which offers an easily duplicated model to reduce the environmental impact of new constructions! Let's find out with this feedback.

Optimization of building energy consumption

Several measures have been adopted to reduce energy consumption within the residence.

The 67 apartments will be heated by individual gas boilers. Thanks to the injection of green gas into the network (gas produced from renewable resources such as agro-food waste), Horizon Nature promotes the use of carbon-free and renewable energy.

Added to this is a reinforced thermal envelope made up of concrete floor and load-bearing insulating brick (Bbio equivalence of RT2012 -25%) to which is added a heating control system. The accommodations will therefore be both comfortable and eco-responsible and the energy consumption will be reduced and monitored. Concerning the 8 individual houses, these high-performance systems will be coupled with self-consumption photovoltaic panels on the roof.

Finally, in a more global vision of energy optimization, charging stations for electric vehicles and car parks and maintenance stations for bicycles will be installed. These services are intended for both residents and their visitors, thus highlighting the choice of soft and low-carbon mobility.

Landscape integration and respect for the surrounding nature

Close to the banks of the Marne and surrounded by woods, residents will benefit from a privileged natural setting. The Horizon Nature project is part of a respectful approach, and provides that its accommodation blends as well as possible within this environment.

Thus, the project proposes varied geometries of housing, with different shapes of roofs and faults, in order to sequence the building. To this fragmentation are added facades with games of colors, matter and materials designed to animate the constructions. Finally, noble and durable materials are favored, echoing the surrounding woods.

Respect for the nature present on the site is also reflected in the search for a site that is as green as possible. The land being sloping, earth had to be evacuated to build the housing. In order to reduce the transport needs related to the evacuation of the surplus land, an agreement was signed with the neighboring plot in order to reuse them on another project. Thanks to the willingness of the intervening companies to collaborate, a virtuous cycle has been created.

Designing the places of residence of tomorrow

The various elements presented above make Horizon Nature an eco-responsible project that paves the way for more sustainable and respectful new residential buildings. Several lessons can be drawn from this, in order to inspire other similar projects.

The approach to housing energy consumption is based on RE2020 – even though the project was submitted before its application – with the search for efficient and carbon-free systems as much as possible. The tools for monitoring consumption will also make it possible to anticipate future regulations and improvesystems. A study on CO² emissions will be carried out in the long term, in order to better quantify the impact of the project.

In addition, the construction choices for this project reflect a desire to think about buildings throughout their life cycle. For example, high quality equipment has been favored within the accommodation. They are more expensive but their lifespan will be longer and their maintenance needs lower.

Finally, the promoter's choice to install electrical terminals shows us that new residences must be integrated into the network of the district, the city, and even the region. Such infrastructures thus make it possible to connect spaces to each other by relying on carbon-free mobility. Horizon Nature shows us how a promoter can play a decisive role in encouraging sustainable practices!

Article written by Mariette Guermonprez for Construction21