The historic industrial building, which had been vacant for over 20 years, is located in Vienne, in the Gère Valley, a neighborhood that has been stigmatized and impoverished since the collapse of the textile industry. However, we saw hidden potential in this building for a sustainable pilot project to provide a positive boost to the entire neighborhood, revitalize the area, and transform the feeling of neglect into a sense of renewal.

The sustainably renovated building has acquired new functions, offering affordable and attractive housing, a co-working space, and a “Tiers-Lieu,” a multifunctional event hall. The apartments can be used as offices and vice versa, as needed. The planting of the building was carefully planned to make the most of the almost completely impermeable site. The selected plants are intended to shade the facades and improve indoor air quality by optimizing humidity, perceived temperature, and cooling effects through evapotranspiration. Part of the roofs have been converted into green terraces with climbing frames to also reduce the risk of falling debris. Another part of the green concept of grünboX-Vienne is used for experimental urban agriculture, such as greenhouses and a mushroom farm.

Ninety per cent of the materials used in the design of the coworking space and the ‘Tiers-Lieu’ were recycled. The wall cladding in the main hall was even made from waste materials. And the offcuts from our wall cladding (i.e. the waste from the waste) were used to create the mosaic wall cladding on the PRM toilets. 

As a result, the carbon footprint (life cycle) compared with a new build of equivalent volume is certainly unique in France, at around 65% less, which corresponds to a CO2 saving of around 1 tonne per m2 of floor area.

This project, which is currently being realized, was awarded the 2nd international SMART CITIES 2017 prize in the “Habitat” category by the newspaper Le Monde, and won the first Climate Award from the Vienne-Condrieu agglomeration in 2024.