The commitment to Habitat & Environment certification one year on: 15,000 housing units in the process of certification and over 700 already certified - 17 July 2008

One year after the launch of the Habitat and Environment certification policy for all its residential development schemes in France, Bouygues Immobilier has 15,000 homes in the process of certification and over 700 homes already certified. Bouygues Immobilier is the first property developer to make this commitment.

Habitat and Environment (H&E) certification is awarded by Cerqual, a Qualitel subsidiary, to development schemes that meet a set of requirements established with housing professionals and consumer associations. An adaptation of HQE® for the housing sector, H&E certification is based on strict audit and assessment procedures.

H&E certification attests to environmental respect right from the design phase. It ensures reduced utility bills, since a certified housing unit consumes at least 10% less energy than a standard unit, constructed to 2005 thermal regulations. Certification also brings practical advantages for the well-being of occupants. Customers are assured that they are making a long-term investment that enhances their property value.

H&E-certified buildings use renewable energy sources and low-consumption equipment to reduce energy use and limit the greenhouse gas emissions of the construction sector. Particular emphasis is placed on the comfort and health of the occupants, with construction products and materials chosen on the basis of their environmental and sanitary characteristics (wooden terraces and weatherboarding), thermal and acoustic comfort, and ventilation efficiency. Green spaces are designed to require very little water, and eco-roofs and rainwater recovery systems are featured in a number of developments. In addition, a “green living” guidebook helps occupants use their homes in a way that respects the environment.

Bouygues Immobilier’s first Habitat and Environment-certified development scheme was opened in June 2007 in Bouffémont, north-west of Paris. Particular attention was paid during the construction of the 116-unit development to keeping the site clean, with material sorting skips, the use of natural materials such as wood for terraces, garage doors and stairs, and strictly controlled costs. The scheme also includes bike paths and a rainwater recovery system.

The Bel’Esquisse development scheme in Boissise-la-Bertrand, south-east of Paris, features architect-designed houses in a wooded park. Primary energy consumption has been reduced by 60 kWh/m2/year, for a 56% savings compared with 2005 thermal regulations. The two low-consumption houses at Boissise-la-Bertrand won the 2007 Palm’Elec prize as part of the Sustainable Quality Challenge.

More than 600 Bouygues Immobilier employees have been trained on H&E certification by Cerqual and the GreenAffair design office. Training is adapted to the objectives of each activity (technical manager, development scheme manager, salesperson, customer officer, management team, etc.).