Silva tower, mixed materials to decarbonise construction

Works on the main structure of the new Silva tower – shell and core, timber frame and CLT wood flooring – are nearing completion (16th and second to last floor under construction at end-August), before the metal-frame technical roof elements and prefabricated balconies are installed in early September. Boasting outstanding environmental performance in line with E3C2 standards, the building combines wood and EXEGY® low-carbon concrete for the skeleton and wood-frame facades for its outer shell.

The project reflects VINCI Construction’s strategy of supporting its subsidiaries in honing their expertise in the use of wood and low-carbon concrete. That involves developing multi-skilled teams and maximising the management of our own projects through our wood subsidiary Arbonis® and the Exegy® offering.

As a builder, we are determined to use the right material in the right place, to steer away from the “all-concrete” approach and decarbonise the building process.

This 17-storey (56 m) tower, built on behalf of developer Kaufman & Broad, is designed to accommodate 125 residential units and shops on the ground floor.

The structure is made of concrete from the ground floor to the sixth floor and, above that level, is designed with CLT panelling. The facades will also be in wood. In total, 3,600 cu. metres of concrete and 1,500 cu. metres of French-certified timber will be used. Almost 60% of the total concrete used is low-carbon. More specifically, the low-carbon concrete is EXEGY L+C3, a solution containing limestone filler and metakaolin, produced by our local partner Garandeau. During the winter months, Garandeau supplied the site with warm concrete (mixed with hot water) to guarantee adequate early-age strength while ensuring safe formwork removal as of the following morning.