Rebirth of a neighbourhood
IN SAINT-DENIS (GREATER PARIS AREA), a key venue for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games – of which VINCI is an official supporter – the new Universeine complex developed by VINCI Immobilier on a former industrial brownfield is emblematic of a new generation of urban renewal projects. Built to become part of the Athletes’ Village, Universeine will transform after the Games into a vast neighbourhood offering family and student housing, offices, services, businesses and cultural activities. Its carbon footprint promises to be 40% lighter than that of conventional concrete buildings, thanks to the use of timber combined with low-carbon and ultra-low-carbon concrete. Universeine will also recycle or reuse 75% of the materials employed during its temporary phase, such as prefabricated partitions and bathrooms. “Urban oases” created with natural gardens, planted terraces, a biodiversity corridor leading to the Seine and other green features will have a cooling effect, helping in the fight against the consequences of global warming.
Climate resilience
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, in the heart of London, VINCI Construction is participating in the Thames Tideway Tunnel, a major project to prevent heavy rains from polluting the Thames while sustainably improving water quality. A large tunnel with an inside diameter of 7.2 metres will temporarily store wastewater and stormwater overflows before they are transported to various treatment plants by a system mainly running beneath the river.
“For Universeine, we applied for a double construction permit – covering both residential and office use – to ensure the buildings’ versatility. This was a first for a project of this scale at VINCI Immobilier.”