Category: Non classé

110 million pairs of glasses are sitting unused in drawers across France. Ophélie Vanbremeersch decided to give them a second life with Les Lunettes de Zac, an initiative born from a simple question she asked herself as a teenager: what happens to our old glasses?

Founded in 2020, the start-up collects, sorts, and refurbishes unused glasses, relying on a network of 1,500 collection points across the country. In 2024 alone, 60,000 pairs per month were recovered, restored, and put back into circulation.

✨ What makes the project unique:

– Strong social impact through a partnership with Groupe VITAMINE T, a social inclusion company

– Local production with measurable environmental benefits

– An innovative circular economy model tested in post offices and second-hand retail corners

Les Lunettes de Zac brings together inclusion, circular economy, and long-term vision. A project built with patience, purpose… and resilience.

📖 Read Ophélie’s full interview

Standing like a new beacon on the Parisian skyline, Racine ushers the former headquarters of the ONF (National Forestry Office) into a new era. Designed by Maud Caubet’s agency, the tower features an innovative elevation, which shelters an agricultural greenhouse and is an outstanding example of material efficiency. The project skillfully integrates existing structures with the right materials in the right places to optimize performance and minimize carbon footprint.

Soon to be completed, the building is a true demonstration of how architecture can address the environmental challenges of our time.

Maud Caubet emphasizes, “Racine Tower is more than just a renovation. It is a symbol of how we can combine architectural tradition with sustainable innovations to build the cities of tomorrow“.

Discover Racine in the June issue of Matières magazine

Published on June 19, the new FAIR – La Croix solidarity finance barometer reveals that solidarity savings now account for 0.5% of the French total financial savings, up from 0.45% in 2022. With a 15% increase in 2023, solidarity finance has surpassed 30 billion euros in assets!

In 2023, 680 million euros were invested in projects with social, ecological, and international impact. This positive momentum shows that solidarity finance continues to gain ground and is becoming firmly established in the French financial landscape.

Thierry Sibieude, President of FAIR – Label Finansol, highlights the priorities for the future: enhance distributor training, leverage collected data, and assess the social impact of investments to make solidarity finance even more transparent and effective.

Read the full article in ID Durable

Facing social and environmental challenges in Seine-Saint-Denis, Les Valoristes stands out with an innovative approach to circular and solidarity-based economy. Founded by Ngoc-Lan Loi, this eco-social structure is committed to building a more inclusive world by reintegrating people distant from employment through on-the-job training as valorization agents.

Les Valoristes not only reduce waste but also transform it into opportunities. Their mission is to contribute to the ecological shift by repurposing materials and creating upcycled furniture from construction and public works waste.

Kudos to this initiative, which combines social and environmental impact while contributing to the positive transformation of Seine-Saint-Denis!

Learn more about Les Valoristes

Jean-Marc Palhon, Chairman of EXTENDAM, explained: “The market is lacking rooms to meet demand. Occupancy rates and prices are nowadays very high across Europe. Trends will probably change during the next 12 to 18 months. If interest rates continue to decline, many investors will be less concerned and will have easier access to credit, which will boost asset values“.

To optimize opportunities in this market, real estate private equity funds remain a preferred option. By investing in both property and business assets, these funds offer a dual source of income: regular rental payments and potential capital gains from the business. Expected returns can reach double-digit levels, though they vary depending on the strategies employed.

Read Aurélie Fardeau’s full analysis on the attractiveness of hotel investment in the magazine Option Finance

The renovation of the iconic Ariane Tower in La Défense, is reaching new heights with a fully glass facade. Originally built in 1975, the tower is transformed to reduce energy consumption by 40% by 2030 while preserving the building’s unique design.

Acting as the project management assistant, REDMAN plays a crucial role in this ambitious project. Emilie Gonnot, Program Director at REDMAN, emphasizes: “This renovation is a true technical feat, allowing us to maintain occupant comfort while modernizing the tower’s energy performance“.

Since the work begun in November 2023, REDMAN has ensured effective coordination to minimize the impact on the building’s 85% occupancy. The operation is the first of its kind in Europe for an occupied high-rise building and highlights the group’s expertise and innovation in managing complex projects.

Learn more about how REDMAN is transforming the Ariane Tower into a model of energy efficiency in Amélie Luquain’s article for Le Moniteur

Did you know that only 28% of engineers in France are women? The association Elles bougent is committed to changing this reality by breaking down gender stereotypes and encouraging young girls to consider careers in industrial and technological sectors.

Founded in 2006 by Marie-Sophie Pawlak, a passionate and visionary engineer, Elles bougent was born from a simple fact: companies struggle to recruit female talent in such fields, still too often seen as male-dominated. To reverse this trend, Marie-Sophie Pawlak brought together companies, engineering schools, and dedicated mentors to show young girls that these careers are not only accessible but also fulfilling.

Today, thanks to Elles bougent, thousands of middle school, high school, and university students are discovering the many opportunities available to them in scientific and technical fields. Through inspiring events, testimonials, and meetings, the association works to break down barriers and spark new vocations.

A big round of applause to Elles bougent for their ongoing commitment to gender diversity and for their impact on the future of young girls!

Discover Elles bougent

On August 1st, 2024, the real estate developer completed full transformation of a historic mansion of over 2,700 square meters located at 60B Avenue d’Iéna, Paris 16^th. The asset is now renamed Villa Iéna. This project, carried out on behalf of Union Investment under a real estate development contract (CPI), was led by architects Naud and Poux, who successfully combined heritage preservation, contemporary expression and respect for the site’s history.

Built by Léon Chatenay in 1883, this Haussmann-style building has undergone several transformations. The top two floors were raised, with a reconstruction of the wooden framework and dormer windows, while a wooden made new wing was added at the rear of the courtyard. Particular attention was paid to energy performance and environmental impact, aiming for HQE and BBCA certifications for both the renovated and new parts of the building.

Villa Iéna has been fully leased to a single tenant and offers now premium services tailored to the specific needs of its occupant, blending historical elements with modern touches. The courtyard has been transformed into an agricultural greenhouse, and the green terraces, designed by Les Jardins de Gally, bring a touch of nature in the heart of Paris. An artwork by the artist Yzo is also displayed in the porch, highlighting the project’s involvement in the 1 building, 1 artwork initiative.

This ambitious project underscores Redman’s expertise and skill, as the company continues to stand out for its ability to transform historic buildings into contemporary and functional spaces while adhering to the strictest environmental standards.

Discover Villa Iéna in Immo Hebdo latest issue

EXTENDAM, in collaboration with SOHOMA International and 123 Investment Managers, recently acquired Navarra Hotel in Bruges. This 4-star establishment, featuring 94 rooms and remarkable heritage, is ideally located in the historic center of the city, often referred to as the Venice of the North.

Renovation work is planned for 2025 to enhance the visitor experience while preserving the authentic charm of this fourth acquisition for EXTENDAM in Belgium.

Matthieu de Lauzon, EXTENDAM, explained: “This new acquisition, with our partners SOHOMA and 123 IM, completes our hotel portfolio in Belgium. It is our fourth acquisition in this European country, and new operations are under consideration. This establishment charmed us with its unique heritage character and premium positioning within the city of Bruges. Close to the French and Dutch borders, the Venice of the North indeed has an ideal location, just 1 hour from Brussels, 2 hours and 20 minutes from Paris, and 2 hours and 50 minutes from Amsterdam or London. This fourth employment zone of Flanders also has direct access to the port of Zeebrugge, providing a major economic and tourist advantage“.

EXTENDAM thus continues to build a very strong hotel portfolio in Europe.

Read the full article on Hospitality-ON

Organized by Archistorm, this unmissable fair dedicated to innovative materials for architecture, design, decoration and interior design is coming back in October! This year, an immersive journey of over 700 sqm will connect industrials and craftsmen in a space designed to stimulate imagination and reveal potential. The agenda gathers meetings, discussions, and workshops for an enriching exploration of materials.

Annabelle Ledoux, founder of Les Grandes Idées, will once again have the pleasure of hosting a series of roundtables on the power of materials!

Join us on October 15 and 16, 2024, at Atelier Richelieu, 60 rue de Richelieu, Paris 2nd.

Information and registration