GSE Design and Build

		why this project?
		The business case : Enhance Schneider Automation's global knowledge centre by bringing together its Sophia-Antonopolis R&D and its Carros production units under one roof.. Main reasons: - Intensify and improve ties between R&D and production, to increase responsiveness and performance. - Create much stronger synergies, to promote creativity. - Reduce operating costs.

		Synergies between the R&D and production teams
		The Odyssée project was designed to bring teams closer together. The building therefore offers a variety of spaces and services to encourage people to share experiences and ideas. Being under one roof means that collaboration between different activities has never been easier, as people and processes are brought closer together. Interactions benefit greatly, as does communication, responsiveness and efficiency, and, consequently, our customers' satisfaction.

		Efficiency and comfort in the service of performance and quality of life
		The site On a 4.9 hectare site on the banks of the river Var, with a built surface area of 19,400 m²  (13,900 m² existing, 5,500 m² new), 40% office, 60% industrial. Building orientation The decision to orientate the building on a North-South axis alongside the access road to the Carros business park and the banks of the Var was deliberate, both in terms of energy use and image. See more

		General Layout
		The building is designed to be able to operate independently in standalone configuration, for potential occupation by multiple-users and is divided amongst several tenants per platform, with all energy uses metered separately. 1,700 m² of R&D platforms. 3,300 m² of open space to optimise teamwork and collaboration between teams. 300 m² of transition buildings between R&D and production, again designed to foster friendliness, collaboration and responsiveness.

		The energy performance guarantee
		A binding energy consumption commitment from the design-build contractor  GSE's pledge ultimate energy consumption will not exceed: 40 kWh/m² of usable floor surface per year, representing 220,000 kWh/year for the project's 5,500 m² surface area. This will be the ultimate amount of energy consumption recorded by the meter system, and will be logged by the BMS. This energy consumption applies to the elements covered by the Low-Energy certification: Heating                 Cooling (air-conditioning) Ventilation Lighting Ancillary functions.

		Technical installation design
		The choices made for the building's technical installations were governed by the twin objectives of providing high-technology solutions whilst maintaining user comfort and total modularity. Monitoring tools make it possible to track the constructor's energy consumption commitments in real-time. Heating and cooling generation Groundwater pumping and reinjection combined with water-to-water heat exchangers and a high yield heat pump. Heating and cooling distribution and air-conditioning : -using a system of 4-tube ceiling-mounted chiller beams. -air conditioning via 4-tube air handling units with energy extraction from the vented air. -free-cooling night-time additional ventilation system to enhance overall energy performance. -motorised ventilation openings controlled by the BMS. Meeting rooms are fitted with variable output air distribution linked to movement sensors and controlled by the BMS.     Témoignages Like so many other companies with major property portfolios, around the year 2000 we were starting to look into exactly what an “intelligent” build was or, to be more precise, what the market meant by the term intelligent. Now, with the completion of Odyssée, we have a very concrete, factual answer to our question, as well as a tool to help us continually improve our energy footprint, the comfort and services enjoyed by building users, respect for our environment, our heritage and control over our operational costs. Christian Montagnon, head of real estate, Schneider Electric See more