Category: Le Mag SMC2

ECO-RESPONSIBILITY: A COMMITMENT FOR SMC2

We believe that business activity is not incompatible with ecology and that an entity can carry out effective economic actions while respecting the environment. This is why SMC2 offers companies and communities functional, economical and ecological construction solutions.

Efforts at all stages of production and design
In an eco-responsible approach and in order to guarantee high environmental quality buildings, SMC2 optimises every element that contributes to the realisation of its projects: from the production of materials to the construction techniques. Thus, to reduce our energy costs, the density of the materials used has been reduced and exclusive construction techniques have been developed to promote low-nuisance building sites (dry process, low use of machinery, recycling of all waste).

Ecological materials
SMC2 designs use only environmentally friendly materials throughout their life cycle. The wood comes from sustainably managed European forests and all other materials are 100% recyclable. Also, the structures designed allow energy costs to be minimised thanks to the intrinsic qualities of these eco-materials: rainwater collection, natural lighting of textiles, thermal comfort of wood, etc.

Evaluating its environmental impact and finding solutions
At SMC2, we are constantly questioning our processes with the aim of perpetual improvement. This is why each sports structure is subjected to a “Life Cycle Assessment” in order to evaluate its ecological impact and integrate it into the environment as well as possible. We also pay close attention to our own carbon footprint in order to improve our actions and reduce it to a minimum. As proof, a saving of 18 Tons of CO2 was made in 2013!

Because we are convinced of the performance of our construction techniques, the SMC2 offices were designed and built using a process that we recommend to our clients every day: the timber frame. Selected for its many technical and ecological qualities, the timber frame offers great design freedom. Discover its advantages!

 

Architectural freedom

With a greater span than concrete, wood offers great architectural possibilities. As the core of the structure, it allows a freedom of design that other materials are unable to guarantee: large surfaces without load-bearing walls or support posts, easy renovation and extension. Also, a large number of external facings can be installed on this type of construction: metallic, glazed, mineral. As the dry process does not require any drying time, construction times are shortened and there is no need to wait to apply the finishes.

 

Resistance

A living material, wood is known for its stability in the face of temperature variations and seismic waves. Resistant to time and aggressive atmospheric conditions, its behaviour in the event of fire makes it one of the most reliable materials. In the event of a fire, the top layers carbonise and protect the core of the wood. This means that the wood retains its load-bearing capacity and prevents the structure from collapsing, unlike other materials such as reinforced concrete.

 

A healthy construction method

Choosing a timber frame means opting for a construction method that respects both the environment and people. The only eco-material with a negative carbon footprint, wood is 15 times more insulating than concrete and naturally regulates the humidity of the indoor air. As a dry construction material, its use is not only synonymous with shorter construction times but also with a reduction in nuisance and energy costs.

Used in the design of major world structures such as the Olympic Stadium in London, textile technology offers great performance in terms of mechanical resistance as well as thermal, acoustic and lighting qualities. This is why SMC2 recommends it for the construction of your hangars, warehouses and other storage buildings!

 

 

SPEED AND FUNCTIONALITY

The composite membrane, also known as textile roofing, is perfectly suited to all types of projects whose objective is to build a robust and functional architecture: industrial hangars, commercial warehouses or storage buildings. As part of the dry construction sector, its use guarantees a quick and trouble-free construction site. Its translucency ensures a homogeneous zenithal lighting which avoids any glare or shadow zone for the comfort and safety of the people working on site. The composition of the textile membrane is also known to attenuate reverberation and echoes, which is a real comfort in view of the noisy activities that can be carried out in warehouses: driving vehicles, loading and unloading boxes, drums, pallets, etc.

 

 

ECOLOGY AND SAVINGS

Textile construction is proof that ecology and economy can go hand in hand. Textile roofing is a material with a low ecological impact that has a low thermal inertia, i.e. it protects its occupants from the heat in summer and the cold in winter. The energy savings in terms of lighting and heating are therefore real. Also, the composite membrane is less expensive than other materials usually used for an equivalent life span (30 years). 100% recyclable, it retains its luminous properties throughout its life cycle without requiring any particular maintenance.

The former municipal football field “Lettkaut” in the town of Dreieich near Frankfurt has been converted into a modern, multi-functional sports complex which will be used by schools and all sports associations free of charge. This sports facility will give children and young people the opportunity to strengthen their community through sport and to develop their talents.

The complex offers several sports pitches, including a natural grass football pitch, a synthetic grass pitch, a tartan multi-sports pitch for handball, basketball, volleyball, a DFB mini football pitch, a tartan running track, etc. A 265-seat covered grandstand has been built to follow sporting events. It is one of the most visual elements of the facility. Beyond its practical aspect, it is truly the architectural signature of the Dreieich complex. It is a vector of image for the city, which demonstrates through this graphic and visual element its involvement in the development of sport.

Indeed, it is in the grandstand that all generations and families gather around the values of sport.

TECHNICAL DATA

The configuration and dimensions of the SMC2 stands can be adapted according to the needs (sports practiced, number of covered seats, etc.). The stand has a supporting structure and a textile membrane covering. The latter offers excellent light. Indeed, thanks to the translucent membrane, the stand remains bright and pleasant to live in. In addition, the design of the textile cover provides real comfort: shading in summer, protection from wind and rain in winter. Finally, the flexible textile cover has acoustic properties that strongly limit the echo for a better atmosphere.

While innovative and environmentally friendly construction processes are a priority at SMC2, more and more companies are using modular construction, wood, textile roofing and, more generally, the dry sector when designing their offices and industrial buildings. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons for such a craze…

 

Environment and eco-responsibility

Many companies have understood that “respect for the environment” can rhyme with “savings” and “productivity”. This is why SMC2 offers them innovative and economical solutions based on the combination of wood, steel and textile. Wood is the only ecological material with a negative carbon footprint. Its cutting, if controlled, contributes to the renewal and development of forests. As for the composite membrane (textile covering), it is entirely recyclable. Their implementation in the dry sector and their energy performance during their operation allow significant energy savings that are beneficial to the environment.

 

Economical processes

While traditional “wet” construction is synonymous with long and costly building sites (drying time, use of different machines, energy expenses), the dry process is economical with reduced building site time, little nuisance, little waste and less energy expenses. Also, companies will appreciate the performance of wood (15 times more insulating than concrete) as much as that of textile roofing, which promises savings in lighting and heating thanks to the natural light it offers and its low thermal inertia. Finally, it should be noted that the composite membrane is less expensive than other traditionally used materials for the same life span.

 

Structural and architectural optimisation

By combining metal, wood and textile in its constructions, SMC2 uses each material for its intrinsic qualities in the service of structural and architectural optimisation.
The steel structures make it possible to create fine and elegant structures with discreet assemblies, giving an architectural dimension to industrial infrastructures.

SMC2 has been selected to design and construct the covered athletics hall in Miramas (South of France). The capacity of the venue is 5,500 spectators for the athletics events and 7,500 spectators for the handball and basketball games.

« It’s the biggest contract in the history of our company, about 6 million Euros. And it’s the first venue of this kind in Europe!” said Nicolas Robin, founding leader of SMC2. In 18 months, SCM2 will deliver to the City of Miramas this athletics hall covered with tensile membrane on behalf of the west Provence Township Syndicate.

The 9,800 sqm athletics hall will be constructed with 13,000 sqm of total surface of tensile membrane. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The City of Lagrave (Tarn) has chosen SMC2 to build a 1,150 m² gym. Thanks to its innovative construction principle, SMC2 is able to deliver economical buildings that are environmentally friendly, both during construction and when in operation. The gym was inaugurated on Saturday, 11th October 2014, with Thierry Braillard, Minister of State for Sport, in attendance.

The Lagrave gym (Tarn) is a culmination of all the strong points of SMC2 creations: a translucent fabric cover with excellent acoustic properties that is assembled onto a wood roof structure using a unique tensioning and fastening system.

 

The SMC2 solution offers optimally comfortable playing conditions:

• Natural light:

The translucent roof covering allows harmonious natural light to cover the playing area without areas with glare or shadows. Natural lighting makes it possible to play without artificial lights during the day, which helps cut down on lighting costs.

• Controlled acoustics:

The fabric cover limits acoustic reverberations. Acoustic reverberation time is 40% below the standards for sports facilities.

• Pleasant environment:

The building envelope maintains a pleasant environment year-round, without storing up heat in the summer and limiting cold surfaces in winter. Furthermore, SMC2’s hygrothermal regulation system enables it to optimise the comfort level in its buildings, with minimal energy costs.

 

This Saturday, 11th October 2014, Thierry Braillard, Minister of State for Sport, was joined by Thierry Gentilhomme, Prefect of the Tarn department, Martin Malvy, President of the Midi-Pyrénées region, Thierry Carcenac, President of the Tarn General Council, and Tarn MP Jacques Valax.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]