Design & build of commercial and industrial buildings, sustainable development in construction - GSE

A question faced by every designer and builder.

GSE proposes:

• Continual dialogue with the architect and local authorities involved, minimising the impact of any development through incorporating sustainable designs, materials and methodology.

The materials used in the construction also have an impact on the environment, either due to the energy required to make them, or because they degrade over time, or their ultimate disposal has a significant environmental impact.

It is important to limit the use of polyurethane foam (CFC free refrigerant) and polystyrene.

The use of wood from sustainable managed forests to build the structures in major projects is increasingly attractive, with respect to spanning capacities, fire stability and cost.

The heating and cooling of buildings are a major source of energy consumption.
We work with agencies and ministries worldwide, and currently with the French Ministry for Industry and CSTB, GSE have participated in defining the new legislation for thermal insulation applied in France (RT 2000), in particular for the construction of large logistics buildings.

GSE is part of an on-going research program to develop and install photovoltaic cells on large surface areas such as the roofs of logistics and industrial buildings.

Certain projects present environmental risks due to the business that will ultimately be conducted in them. Fire, explosion, water and/or air pollution are all scenarios that have to be taken into account from the inception of the design phase in order to minimise the environmental impact of any potential incident.

Working with the French Ministry for the Environment, GSE has taken part in developing the regulations for warehouses (section 1510).