ENERGY EFFICIENCY: SMC2’S DNA
Since its creation and today more than ever, SMC2 is committed to promoting energy sobriety by creating eco-responsible buildings in its field.
What is energy sobriety?
Energy sobriety consists of reducing energy consumption by changing lifestyles, behaviors and society. It stems from the environmental limits – exhaustible resources, pollution and CO2 thresholds that must not be exceeded, that the world is currently facing. It is part of the ecological transition process.
SMC2 and its commitment to the environment
In the 2000s, awareness of the environmental impact of the large-scale use of energy led to the need to change our energy model. It was at this time that SMC2 was born. Since its creation, our company has adopted an eco-responsible position by implementing environmentally friendly construction systems.
By favouring timber frame and tensile membrane for the roof, we specify the use of biomaterials that are clean for the planet. Wood has a negative carbon footprint thanks to its ability to store CO2. Stretched envelopes allow the creation of volume with a minimum of material and energy.
Our commitment goes beyond the materials we use: we also want to encourage communities and their residents to change their sporting habits. SMC2 construct sports buildings that do not require heating or air conditioning and that requires no or little artificial lighting during the day to ensure that the competitors can play comfortably. In fact, the textile membrane we use to cover our buildings is translucent, it filters UV rays but allows natural light to pass through.
SMC2 sports facilities therefore have a low environmental impact during construction and operation.
SMC2 prefers the use of offsite construction of its sports buildings. The prefabrication of parts and the reduction of construction time make it possible to make significant savings on materials, transport and labour. The minimal amount of waste and greatly reduced water consumption mean that the sites are not very polluting and can be cleaned up quickly.
Example of eco-construction: zoom on the tempered gymnasium
At a time when we are facing major ecological challenges, it is becoming essential to think of tomorrow’s gymnasium in terms of sustainable development and zero carbon.
Thinking of the eco-responsible gymnasium means ensuring that from the outset of its design, superior materials and equipment are chosen or at least have a low environmental impact, and that its use is encouraged by the greatest number of people. In other words, a design that requires minimal use of natural resources and allows for maximum durability and use.
An eco-designed gymnasium
The use of timber and textile membranes in the construction of our dynamic sports halls allows us to build bright, temperate gymnasiums that provide thermal comfort all year round.
In summer, our gyms do not need to be air-conditioned. Both the textile membrane and the wood do not store heat. The white colour of the stretched fabric allows 90% of the sun’s rays to be reflected. This is called the albedo effect. Combined with an effective ventilation system, sunshields and appropriate clothing, players can play the sport comfortably on warm days of the year.
In winter, we recommend not heating the gyms or limiting the heating to 12 degrees. With an efficient hygrothermal regulation to have dry air, closed facades to avoid heat loss and appropriate clothing, competitors will be able to practice their sport without feeling cold. Let’s not forget that the athlete warms up while practicing their sport!
To sum up, at a time when ecology is becoming an essential part of future strategies, our eco-responsible sports buildings can be used all year round by everyone without excessive energy consumption thanks to a timber framework and a tensile membrane roof. This is proof that energy saving and thermal comfort can go hand in hand.
