Greenaffair behind the environmental strategy for France’s future tallest building
At the heart of La Défense business district near Paris, property developer Groupama Immobilier has launched a new project — the construction of a tower of unprecedented size, which will house Total’s future head office. Named ‘The Link’, the structure will span 130,000 square meters with the 228 m high ‘Arche’ wing (50 storeys high), and the 165 m high ‘Seine’ wing (35 storeys).
This high‑rise tower is a pioneer for a new kind of building that is more environmentally friendly, exemplary in terms of energy consumption and better suited to our ever‑changing working methods — for example by enabling smooth traffic flows and providing diverse spaces.
Greenaffair, a VINCI Facilities consulting and engineering firm that specialises in sustainable development, was chosen to work on The Link’s environmental strategy. The firm won the €320,000 contract by focusing on the energy efficiency of the building and the comfort of final users.
Discover the solutions* put forward by Greenaffair for this immense project, set for completion in 2025. (*Certain studies are still underway).
♦ Certification and labels
Greenaffair has been tasked with obtaining a number of certifications and labels:
- HQE Sustainable Building Standard 2016 – Exceptional
- BREEAM International 2016 New Construction – Excellent
- WELL Building Standard for New & Existing Buildings – Silver
- Effinergie+ label
- BiodiverCity label
♦ Estimation of the building’s energy consumption:
Heating and cooling will be provided by reversible 4‑ and 2‑pipe heat pumps in addition to the urban network, reducing greenhouse gases by 26%.
A sensitivity study was carried out at the location, revealing that the orientation of 3,740 m2 of photovoltaic panels on the façade will guarantee optimal solar energy output (around 200 MWh, according to the French energy efficiency standard RT2012 calculations).
♦ Double skin façade design study:
The double skin façades will act as a thermal buffer, preventing thermal bridging and providing acoustic insulation for the building’s frame, as well as creating a modern aesthetic. Greenaffair worked on designing the double skin for the building’s south-facing façade, establishing its depth, percentage of perforation and the positioning of its blinds.
♦ Daylight autonomy study:
The Link will be entirely covered in glass. This study will enable maximum use of natural lighting while protecting occupants’ visual comfort.
♦ Life cycle analysis:
Advice is being given regarding the materials used to limit the building’s carbon footprint.
♦ Environmental impact study:
• An overshadowing study was carried out to determine the shadows cast by the building and how much sunlight will be lost by neighbouring buildings. Those most heavily affected by The Link would lose at most two hours of sunlight, averaging 30 minutes per day.
• Dust emissions monitoring will be carried out as a significant amount will be produced during the demolition of the old building and construction of the new one. The tower is located in a dense urban area, near shops and restaurant patio areas. Greenaffair will therefore examine how to reduce these emissions as much as possible.
• Biodiversity on the site: Avoidance, reduction and compensation measures were defined accordingly to limit the project’s impact on biodiversity and improve the ecological potential. Continuous ecological monitoring throughout the duration of the operation is planned as part of the BiodiverCity label. The objective is to promote biodiversity over the long term until the project is operational.
The project to demolish existing buildings is currently under way in the Michelet district. Construction of the foundations will begin in 2021.
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