New building of the Catholic Institute of Vendée (ICES) with Zehnder Carboline radiant ceiling heating and cooling panels

After an initial extension in 2021, the establishment began a second phase of major expansion at the end of 2022 and has just inaugurated a new 5.500 m² building with six levels (including two underground).

For this project designed by Denis Laming, an architect known for his work on Futuroscope, Zehnder Carboline radiant ceiling panels were selected to equip the living spaces, classrooms, and part of the university library located on the ground and first floors of the building. Combining energy efficiency with thermal and acoustic comfort, they contribute to the building's performance and the well-being of teachers and students.

A growing university campus

Founded in 1990, the Catholic Institute of Vendée (ICES), which has doubled its staff in 10 years, has just inaugurated a new building to centralize activities which, until last year, were spread across several annexes.

Equipped with photovoltaic panels on the roof to move towards energy autonomy, it includes six amphitheaters, twenty classrooms, living spaces, a 400 m2 extension of the university library as well as a cafeteria.

With this new building representing an investment of 21 million euros, the total surface area of ​​the campus now reaches 30.000 m2.

A good environment to study in

Thus, 144 m2 of Zehnder Carboline radiant ceiling panels (222 linear meters) were installed on the ground floor and first floor (living spaces, classrooms and university library) to provide heating and cooling.

They offer well-being in all seasons, energy performance and aesthetic integration. For better sound comfort in teaching and work spaces, the perforated acoustic version was chosen.

Perfectly integrated into the false ceiling, Zehnder Carboline panels are composed of a metal tray and an expanded graphite heat exchanger, a material with very high conductivity which allows the system to react very quickly to variations in supply temperature, both in heating and cooling.

This technology ensures even heat distribution, providing optimal thermal comfort for occupants, without air movement or noise, while reducing consumption. It also contributes to the building's overall energy efficiency, in line with the project's environmental ambitions.

With this achievement, Zehnder confirms its expertise in serving higher education establishments, by offering innovative and reliable solutions combining energy and acoustic performance.