Client projects: VINCI Energies

The WAVE building, which has just been refitted by Kinnarps, was built in the heart of EuraTechnologies, a central district of the Metropolis of Lille. EuraTechnologies was established in 2009 and is a centre of excellence and innovation in digital technology hosting over 300 high-tech companies, 200 start-ups, laboratories, institutes, fablabs and more, with 4,000 employees working for innovative organisations.

Wave is part of the triptic construction programme and has been awarded the 'business property prize'

WAVE, an acronym for 'We Are VINCI Energies', houses the regional headquarters of VINCI Energies. The site hosts its in-house start-up Smart Building Energies, and the engineering and innovation departments of other VINCI Energies Group companies associated with digitisation and information technologies.

The building measures 1,723 m² and is part of the TRIPTIC programme developed by VINCI Immobilier. It comprises 5,717 m² of office space across three office blocks, a retail unit of 150 m² and 100 parking spaces.

This project adheres to an environmental and responsible approach with nothing having been left to chance. The energy generated by the 30 photovoltaic panels shortly to be installed on the building's terrace will be redirected to an electric panel enabling it all to be consumed by the building. The overall site, which has received the BREEAM certification 'Very Good' rating, was also awarded the 2018 'Business Property Prize' at the Pyramides d'Argent awards ceremony. The WAVE building itself received the SIMI Grand Prix 2019 in the New Office Building category – 5,000 m². WAVE is also awaiting R2S (Ready to Service) certification.

A smart, user-centred building

The WAVE building designed for the VINCI Energies regional headquarters is the product of a superb partnership between VINCI Immobilier, VINCI Energies and all the stakeholders involved in designing the building. WAVE was conceived, envisaged and completed with perfect collaboration between all the companies and incorporated the technical solutions used at a very early stage. WAVE is a smart building with a user-centred design.

It is a shop window for technology, a smart building fully focused on the well-being of its occupants. Comfort is very much the watchword, taking into account brightness, geographical location, optimum acoustics, olfactive environment, artistic decoration of the 'thoroughfares', etc.

A development conducive to dialogue and communication

A smartphone app has been developed so that every employee can access the functions of the services available such as parking, lighting, heating, room booking, electric vehicle charging status, and bicycle hire from the company fleet. All these precise data are gathered and analysed in order to improve the building's energy efficiency.  

The fittings have been finished in a way that creates dynamic interior environments conducive to communication. The very personalised workspaces are interplays of colours, materials and furniture, inviting people to work for longer yet less formally.

The building's façade consists of brickwork to reflect the region's industrial history, glass to let in as much light as possible, and aluminium which highlights the bay windows. The building is structured around a landscaped centre – a crossroads where users can meet. The accessible garden and terraces with collaborative workspaces promote discussion while stimulating the wellbeing of employees.