Scannell Properties, the real estate development and investment company specialising in large-scale logistics and industrial projects is developing a 27,000m² 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), France. Construction on the 6-hectare site is scheduled to commence in June this year with the building set to become operational in 2024.
The ‘Les Portes de Chambord’ logistic park is 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. It is ideally positioned in the heart of the Centre Val de Loire region with a working age catchment area of 190,000 people living within a 30-minute drive.
The new Class A building will incorporate two office blocks of 500m², each set over two storeys that comprise office and social spaces. The total storage area will be 26,000m² divided between four cells of around 6,300m². This format allows for divisibility of the space between two occupants, maximising the letting opportunities and ensuring longevity.
Designed with respect for nature and biodiversity
Scannell is committed to developing as sustainably and environmentally as possible. 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 15,000m² 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.
A positive energy building
Scannell has carried out a daylight / sunlight modelling of the future building to gain an in-depth understanding of its behaviour through the seasons. This modelling has permitted the architect to tailor the design to respond to the environmental constraints in limiting glazed areas and including solar shading. This in turn will reduce the requirements of heating and cooling systems and optimise efficiency.
Consumption will be monitored through a Building Management System so that users can ascertain in real time the energy and water usage and devise measures to mitigate their use. Moreover, the building will be equipped with 13,500 photovoltaic panels covering 100% of the available roof area. These panels will provide an estimated power output of 2.9 MWp, corresponding to the average annual consumption of 2,400 households, yet another example of Scannell’s commitment to going beyond regulatory requirements.
“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,” said Hugues Desbarrières, Director of Development France of Scannell Properties, “We hope it will serve as a blueprint for the way in which future construction can and should be developed.”
