Ginger Group's new premises in Toulouse – a model of sustainable development and the circular economy
On Friday 11 April, Ginger’s teams warmly welcomed over 100 guests with a cocktail and lunch reception for the inauguration of their new premises. The 2,860 m² multi-purpose building was renovated in line with sustainable development and circular economy principles for Ginger in the Ecopark area of the commune of Quint-Fonsegrives. Three key areas were highlighted: a very high level of energy and thermal performance (BBC Effinergie Réno certification), a materials recycling rate of at least 85%, and consideration of the site's biodiversity.
The overall energy renovation was made possible by completely restructuring the existing building with a combination of a geothermal system and a rooftop photovoltaic power plant. The building was reinforced to comply with strict air permeability and heat loss thresholds. The premises are now classified as low-energy and are even energy-positive.
Following an ecologist’s diagnostic of the site, biodiversity considerations were addressed through the choice of planted areas as a means of preserving the existing fauna (badgers, numerous birds, bats, etc.). An open grassland occupies the centre of the site, with herbaceous and then wooded strata creating buffer zones. Furthermore, the introduction of green parking spaces has restored the soil’s natural functions of rainwater infiltration, thermal regulation (combating heat islands) and water regulation (groundwater replenishment), complementing biodiversity conservation.
Rainwater recovery is being used to supply some of the water needed on the premises and at workstations that consume large quantities of water.
The building’s renovation is one of 58 experimental sites in the Life Waste2Build call for projects, rolled out across the region by Toulouse Métropole, with the main objective of using bio-based materials and the circular economy: at least 85% of the materials from waste have been recycled, and second-hand materials have been used.
This fine example of a sustainable development approach was the common thread running through this project for the Ginger Group, the Solferino management company and the Essor developer.
©Lionel Ruhier