In 2024, our joint Ecomaison x Ecominéro call for projects supported 36 exemplary building sites. With the 2025 call for projects now open, let's zoom in on one of the 2024 winners, Pau Béarn Habitat, with the transformation of a listed building in the town center.
60 tonnes of materials reused in the heart of Pau
In the heart of downtown Pau (64), the historic building of the former Gambetta Post Office is preparing for a second life. Built in the 20th century, the building is undergoing a complete overhaul, meeting a series of demanding standards: deconstruction, cleaning, major renovation and new extension. The aim? To accommodate the new head office of Pau Béarn Habitat, the main social landlord of the urban community. All this while preserving the building's heritage, improving its environmental impact and guaranteeing a high-quality working environment for the 110 employees who will be housed there by the end of 2025.
"The project will be awarded the EFFINERGIE label for energy efficiency, OSMOZ for quality of life at work, and CIRCOLAB for the reuse of materials and equipment."
Véronique FARANDOU, Head of Production & Rehabilitation at Pau Béarn Habitat
A project supported by Ecomaison
This extensive and ambitious renovation project has received financial support from Ecomaison and Ecominéro for part of the overall budget for all stages of the process, as part of the Chantier réemploi 2024 call for projects, of which it is the winner. Soon to be awarded the CIRCOLAB label, the project is part of a circular economy approach, thanks to a rigorous reuse strategy incorporating extensive PEMD diagnostics, local channels and collaboration with industrial partners. A temporary recycling center will also be set up on site to recycle unused materials.
Key figures for the site
In all, 60 tonnes of materials were reused, including around 41 tonnes directly on site and almost 19 tonnes redistributed via local circular economy structures.
On-site re-use :
- 35 tons of stone pavers
- 0.5 tonnes of ceramic sanitaryware
- 1.6 tons of cast-iron radiators
- 1.1 tons of cable trays
- 1.4 tonnes of raised access floors (50 m²)
- 1.5 tons of wooden roller shutter curtains (50 units)
- 48 m² metal gratings
- 5-door
Off-site reuse :
- 9.4 tonnes of cast-iron radiators
- 0.1 ton of lighting (recessed paving stones)
- 24 ml IPN 240 and 72 ml IPN 100
- 20 doors
- 15 m² of shelving
- 3 tonnes of glass recovered in a closed-loop recycling process, in partnership with PAPREC and Saint-Gobain, to produce low-carbon glass.
An exemplary project for an emblematic building
The former central post office in Pau, a listed building, is being refurbished in consultation with the Architectes des Bâtiments de France, in line with a new vision of construction: responsible, sustainable and humane. Designed to accommodate the administrative staff of Pau Béarn Habitat, the site will also offer a reception area for the group's beneficiaries and partners, whose commitments to quality, proximity, innovation, solidarity and responsibility will be reflected in the refurbishment.
A project team committed to reuse
The project is being carried out by Pau Béarn Habitat, a real estate operator in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. To complete this complex operation, the landlord was able to count on financial support from Ecomaison and Ecominéro. It was supported by an experienced team of local companies and associations:
- AMO certifications: SOLER IDE
- Project management: Cabinet Camborde Architectes (leader), Bernadberoy (structure/VRD), Biofluides (fluids), Emmacoustic (acoustics)
- Control office: ANCO
- OPC: Cabinet Labadiolle
- Deconstruction company: SUD BTP
- Closed-loop glass recycling: PAPREC (Ecomaison partner) and Saint-Gobain
"Ecomaison is proud to support the preservation of Pau's architectural heritage. This project, designed to enhance the quality of life at work, opens up opportunities for local re-use industries. It's a strong signal in favor of revitalizing the city center and supporting the circular economy in Béarn."
Adrien Boisseau, South Regional Development Manager at Ecomaison
Ecomaison, facilitating re-use in the building industry
By co-organizing an annual call for projects dedicated to the reuse of building materials, Ecomaison confirms its role as a catalyst for initiatives throughout the region. Providing technical and financial support to project owners, encouraging the emergence of local reuse channels, documenting progress... This is also our mission at Ecomaison: to make reuse a concrete reality, in the service of a more sustainable building sector.
👉 It's your turn! Apply to thechantiers réemploi 2025 call for projects
🔗 Further information
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It's your turn! Apply to the 2025 call for reuse projects