Scannell Properties, the logistics-focused real estate development and investment company, has unveiled plans for an highly sustainable logistics scheme in France.
The firm is developing a 27,000 m2 logistics platform to optimise capacity of an existing site at the Les Portes de Chambord logistic park in the town of Mer (Loir-et-Cher).
Construction on the 6-hectare site is scheduled to commence in June this year with the building set to become operational in 2024.
Hugues Desbarrières, director of development France of Scannell Properties, said: 'The Mer logistics platform is a perfect example of how innovative thinking and a willingness to develop sustainably, while preserving the nature and biodiversity of the local environment, results in a state-of-the-art building that meets the needs of the end users now and in the future.
'We hope it will serve as a blueprint for the way in which future construction can and should be developed.'
Transportation hub
The Les Portes de Chambord logistic park is currently a key transportation hub in the central north region of France. Located less than 2 km from the A10 motorway, its location allows for easy access to some of France’s major conurbations, most notably Paris and Bordeaux.
The new Class A building will incorporate two office blocks of 500 m2, each set over two storeys that comprise office and social spaces. The total storage area will be 26,000 m2 divided between four cells of around 6,300 m2. This format allows for divisibility of the space between two occupants, maximising the letting opportunities and ensuring longevity.
The project will benefit from a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ certification. Furthermore, Scannell has developed the project with a landscape designer and specialist ecologists with the objective of maximising biodiversity.
More specifically, the site will benefit from 15,000 m2 of landscaping with species indigenous to the area, mixing trees, meadow grass, plants and hedgerows. There will also be areas to accommodate animal species including bird boxes, bat shelters and insect refuges.
The increased focus on biodiversity will enable Scannell to obtain a ‘Biodivercity’ certification, which, along with BREEAM, further cements its environmental objectives for the project.
Sustainable development
In preparation for the demolition of the existing building, a specialist audit will be conducted to assess the equipment and materials that can be reused in order to limit the consumption of resources and associated transport.
For the construction of the new building, Scannell will prioritise the use of sustainably sourced and renewable materials that will be procured locally wherever possible. Scannell is also working with a number of companies to assess innovative construction solutions such as geothermal heating and a compacted straw walling system.
Scannell has carried out a daylight / sunlight modelling of the future building to gain an in-depth understanding of its behaviour through the seasons and prioritise efficiency.
Consumption will be monitored through a building management system, while 13,500 photovoltaic panels covering 100% of the available roof area are expected to provide a power output of 2.9 MWp.
Scannell foresees that the building will generate more energy than it strictly needs, returning excess power to the national grid.