XELLA: CONSTRUCTION OF THE “DOMAINE GRAND AIR” RESIDENTIAL AREA IN WAMBRECHIES (59)

EVOLVING HOUSING IN CELLULAR CONCRETE COMPLIANT WITH RT 2012

In the Lille metropolitan area, Wambrechies (59) has launched a vast housing program with the creation of a new residential area, Domaine Grand Air. The delivery of the first housing units began at the end of 2018 and the last units will be delivered during 2020. In order to comply with RT 2012 standards, 108 housing units in this program were built from cellular concrete blocks.

At the heart of an exceptional 5-hectare landscaped park, this large-scale real estate program of 250 collective and individual housing units on two and three floors, with apartments (2 to 3 rooms), townhouses (2 and 4 rooms) with private gardens, free lots, and a public park, plays the card of social diversity.
Combining high comfort with low energy costs, the Domaine Grand Air development, compliant with RT 2012, offers flexible housing, as required by the Housing Plan law. The apartments all have exteriors, and the attics of the townhouses can be converted. The project owners, the developer Nacarat and the SIA Escaut Habitat group, are behind the project, implemented in partnership with the town of Wambrechies.

Cellular concrete, a high-performance, economical and sustainable solution

The choice of cellular concrete for the facade walls of some of the housing units made it possible to meet the thermal performance objective, the RT 2012 THPE certification, i.e. Cep -20%, for rental housing and RT 2012 for those for sale.

SIA Escaut Habitat commissioned the Cochet Dehaene firm, economist, project manager and OPC, and the Concept Archi agency, for the design of the 108 housing units: 77 collective rental units, 6 individual rental units and 25 individual homes for purchase.

The Cochet Dehaene firm prescribed M211* cellular concrete for its qualities. It is a material that allows for optimization of living space, helps reduce housing energy bills and construction costs. Indeed, by using M211* blocks with a height of 30 cm, installation and bonding are more efficient, economical and quick to implement. Furthermore, the firm has chosen a local manufacturer to supply the cellular concrete for the Saint-Saulve plant.

The Concept Archi agency of Guillaume Christiaens, Associate Architect, works regularly with developers and social landlords because it integrates recent techniques so that its constructions are sustainable and respectful of the environment, and the use of cellular concrete fully corresponds to its architectural approach.
Guillaume Christiaens justifies his choice of cellular concrete: “ As an architect, I particularly appreciate the flexibility and modularity of the product, which allows total freedom of design ».

In total, there are nearly 30 m000 of M2* cellular concrete blocks, 211 cm and 20 cm thick and 25 cm high., which were necessary for this program.

Control of energy consumption

Each home benefits from a thoughtful and optimized orientation in harmony with its environment. The RT 2012 certification guarantees that buildings benefit from perfect control of energy consumption.

The energy for homes in the residential area is generated by rooftop photovoltaic panels. In addition to the ERDF grid, these panels provide electricity to power electrical appliances (ventilation, household appliances, boilers, etc.).

Particular care has also been taken in the choice of materials for all housing, both individual and collective. To comply with RT 2012 and high energy performance standards, the accommodations have load-bearing walls made of M211* cellular concrete with an exterior finish in Vandersanden brick panels.

ADVANTAGES OF CELLULAR CONCRETE:

• Optimal and long-lasting thermal insulation.

• High summer comfort, because throughout the year the temperature is constant inside, regardless of the temperature differences outside.

• Optimal airtightness.

• Elimination of thermal bridges.

Furthermore, cellular concrete blocks are safe, as they are fireproof and non-combustible, and they promote better air quality as they are 100% mineral.

THE PROJECT

Location: Wambrechies (59)
Number of apartments: 250
Building type: single-family house and apartment
Project owner: developer Nacarat and SIA Escaut Habitat group
Architect: Concept Archi
Economist: Cochet Dehaene firm
Structural work company: Demathieu and Bard
Project Types: New Construction
Blocks used: M211 e = 20 and 25 (Mvn 450)
Delivery date: during 2020