Sustainable Architecture : Hermès and Their E4C2 Workshop in Normandy with Handcrafted Bricks

The Art of Sustainable Building According to Hermès

Hermès’ Maroquinerie de Louviers in Normandy is not just a leather goods workshop for 260 artisans. It stands as an architectural statement reflecting the firm’s commitment to craftsmanship and heritage.

Designed by Franco-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh under her “archaeology of the future” philosophy, this 6,200 m² building is distinguished by its timber structure and the use of 500,000 handcrafted bricks made from local clay. Its most notable achievement is being the first French industrial building with the E4C2 certification, indicating a minimal carbon footprint and positive energy generation, setting a new paradigm for sustainable industrial architecture.

Here, we’ll delve into its unique design, the E4C2 certification, and, as we’ve been discussing, the potential role of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in complex and sustainable projects, even if its use is not explicitly confirmed by available sources.

“Archaeology of the Future“

Lina Ghotmeh’s “archaeology of the future” philosophy aims for architecture to emerge from the site’s historical, geographical, and material context. Building on a former industrial area and using local earth for the bricks are direct manifestations of this approach.

This choice not only reduces the carbon footprint (transport) but also revitalises local know-how, contributing to the low carbon (C2) component of the E4C2 certification.

Key Architectural Elements

The timber structure is enveloped in a facade of large brick arches, allowing natural light to enter. A central courtyard with an oak tree and an art installation by Emmanuel Saulnier serves as the workshop’s social heart. The landscaping by Erik Dhont integrates the building into the environment, using excavated earth and preserving biodiversity.

The 500,000 handmade bricks from Norman clay are the most distinctive element. Their production and manual placement rescue regional expertise and give the building a unique texture. Managing such a volume of non-standardised elements requires exceptional coordination, an area where digital tools like BIM could offer robust solutions to handle variability and ensure precision, although its use isn’t confirmed.

Deciphering the E4C2 Certification: The Pinnacle of Sustainable Building in France

The French E+C- (Energie Positive et Réduction Carbone) certification, launched in 2016 to anticipate the 2020 Environmental Regulation (RE2020), assesses buildings on two axes: energy efficiency (E, levels 1-4) and carbon reduction (C, levels 1-2) throughout their life cycle. Organisations like CERTIVEA grant the certification.

E4 level signifies the building is Positive Energy (BEPOS), generating more renewable energy annually than it consumes in non-renewable primary energy. C2 level represents maximum performance in low carbon emissions, assessed through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) considering materials, construction, use, and end-of-life.

Achieving E4C2 requires a holistic strategy from initial design, integrating low embodied energy materials, bioclimatic design, renewable energy, and construction on a rehabilitated site.

An Industry Milestone

The Hermès workshop demonstrates that it’s possible to achieve the highest sustainability standards in a productive context, setting a benchmark and aligning with future regulations like RE2020.

The Invisible Hand of BIM?

Although its use in Louviers is unconfirmed, the project’s complexity (large-scale craftsmanship, unique structure, E4C2 objectives) makes it an ideal case for BIM methodology. The structural engineering team at EVP Ingénierie uses BIM in other projects, suggesting its potential application here.

To manage 500,000 variable handcrafted bricks, BIM could have aided in logistics and planning. The use of BIM-LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) integration to automatically calculate embodied carbon, iterative simulations to assess and optimise design strategies (form, envelope, passive systems, HVAC) and to minimise the energy demand essential to E4. This Allows material selections to be optimised from early stages in order to minimise environmental impact (support of C2).

The complexity of integrating non-standardised craftsmanship with E4C2 objectives demands exceptional coordination and optimisation. BIM provides the digital infrastructure to manage this complexity, integrating LCA, energy simulation, and logistical planning. Its potential role seems almost necessary to achieve this level of integrated performance.

Craftsmanship and Digital Precision

The Maroquinerie de Louviers is a successful synthesis of brand identity, contextual architecture, local craftsmanship, and radical sustainability (E4C2). It demonstrates that industry can coexist with beauty, local roots, and environmental responsibility.

Although the use of BIM isn’t confirmed, its potential to manage project complexity, perform energy and life cycle analyses, and coordinate teams seems undeniable and possibly instrumental in achieving E4C2.

The Hermès workshop is an inspiring model, showing a future where artisanal tradition and digital technology collaborate for a more beautiful, meaningful, and sustainable built environment.