The BLACK urban renewal project in the Parisian suburb of Clichy-La-Garenne has been selected by the Low Carbon Building Initiative (LCBI) as one of its fifteen pioneering projects across Europe.
The LCBI, is a non-profit organisation aiming to reduce carbon emissions in the real estate industry.
LCBI unites major European real estate stakeholders to promote low carbon buildings in Europe and has created the first pan-European low carbon label measuring the carbon footprint of real estate based on a Life-Cycle Analysis.
The BLACK project in Clichy is the largest low-carbon building in France. It is a unique development that has been designed with sustainability at its core. Situated right beside Parc des Impressionnistes, the project’s ethical design blends nature’s elements with unique architecture to create a space that sits in harmony with its surroundings.
The distinctive timber cladding has undergone the Japanese charring technique of Shou Sugi Ban. This ancient art involves burning the wood to leave a decorative and protective layer of charcoal on its surface which shields the wood underneath from rot.
By opting for a façade using Accoya timber that has been treated using this process, the architect saved 1,000 tonnes of CO2 without compromising on performance.
The carbon savings resulted from the fact that the initial design had recommended the use of aluminium. The decision to replace this with charred Accoya wood was one of a number of material decisions made to enhance the building’s environmental performance and credentials.
The Accoya wood itself is made from 100% FSC® (CO12330) certified sustainable wood sources, is 100% renewable, long lasting, non-toxic and renowned for its circular economy properties. It was recently re-awarded Cradle to Cradle® Gold certification and achieved Platinum for Material Health.
The use of low-carbon materials, such as Accoya timber, resulted in an overall saving of 3,000 tonnes of carbon.
Emmanuel Combarel, director at Emmanuel Combarel Dominique Marrec architectes (ECDM), said: "The project takes place in a location where the city is transforming. [...] The building is black and understated; it speaks of material and work on the material, of wood and protective carbon. It is black, without color, it addresses the daylight or nighttime to reveal multiple reflections, a shell that already carries a lot of history. [...] Many elements of the facade [...] allow for modulation of its relationship with its environment and natural control of its climatology.”
Clemence Guilloteau, Marketing Coordinator at Accsys, added: “At Accsys Technologies, we’re passionate about helping architects achieve their visions by providing materials that are highly sustainable without sacrificing on performance. From the early stages of the project, we worked closely with ECDM to provide a specification that would meet the project’s low carbon requirements.
“Since Accsys was founded, we have invested heavily in ensuring that Accoya wood achieves the highest possible sustainability credentials. In fact, Accoya was recently re-awarded the Cradle to Cradle® Gold certification and Platinum for Material Health.
“Accoya wood was the perfect material for use in the BLACK project. It is a fantastic example of an urban development project that has taken sustainability to the next level, saving an incredible 3,000 tonnes of carbon. So, we are delighted that it has been recognised by the prestigious Low Carbon Building Initiative.”
