BEWI enables long-term energy performance in France's first passive house-certified sports hall

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Thermal XPS insulation

The municipality shows how energy-efficient construction can succeed

A sports hall that maintains 19°C year-round without a heating system may sound unlikely. In Val-de-Vesle, France, it is already a reality. The new municipal building is the first in France to meet the requirements of the European passive house standard.

The result is a building designed for long-term performance: low energy demand, reduced operating costs and a comfortable indoor climate. This is achieved through smart ventilation, photovoltaic panels, a green roof and a thermally efficient foundation solution of XPS (expanded polystyrene), Jackodur Atlas from BEWI.

 

 

 

 

A long-term approach to public buildings

The decision to build the sports hall to passive house standards reflects the municipality’s ambition to invest in buildings that perform efficiently for decades. Val-de-Vesle, home to around 1000 residents, has previously received national recognition for its work to protect biodiversity and is now applying the same long-term perspective to public construction.

“Our experience with this passive house sports hall provides valuable insights for future construction projects. Policymakers must lead by example,” says Serge Hiet, Mayor of Val-de-Vesle.

The project shows how public buildings can be designed to perform efficiently over time and how municipalities can reduce energy demand from the outset while creating spaces that remain comfortable and cost-efficient to operate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building performance starts on the ground

For a building to meet passive house requirements, performance must hold across the entire structure. As foundation solution, the project team selected the Jackodur Atlas system to provide reliable insulation and eliminate thermal bridges. This is critical in a building designed to operate without a conventional heating system, where even small weaknesses in the building envelope can affect long-term efficiency.

“The BEWI team provided excellent technical support on site and guided us throughout the project, that was a real advantage,” says Sacha Nouveau, Site Manager at Le Bâtiment Associé, the project’s main contractor.

Certification opens the door to EU funding

The sports hall was certified with the support of the Fédération Française de la Construction Passive (French Passive House Association). As a result, the municipality was able to access European funding as part of its environmental strategy.

“The Jackodur Atlas foundation solution contributed to achieving the certification, particularly through its high insulation performance and its reliable prevention of thermal bridges,” says Nouveau.

The foundation solution works alongside a green roof with photovoltaic panels, a highly efficient ventilation system, a timber-frame structure insulated with wood fibre and triple glazing.

Together, these elements create a building that can operate without a conventional heating system while maintaining a stable and comfortable indoor temperature all year-round.
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