Deltamod delivered 5.000 m² of refurbished modular buildings in Clichy (92)

It is along the Seine, at the gates of Paris, Quai de Clichy (92) that is located a unique achievement in France: 5.000 m² of housing 100% in reconditioned modular building dedicated to emergency accommodation.

This chartered work " circular economy Is the work of society Deltamod, specialist in modular re-employment since 2013. This public project, led by its owner ALTERALIA - Association dedicated to support and integration through housing - aimed to set up a reception structure for emergency respecting economic and implementation time constraints.

Accustomed to traditional structures for this type of work, the proposal of the modular building and even more that of the reconditioned modular building appeared to be a major challenge for both parties and their sponsors. 2 months after starting, the result speaks for itself: Functional, efficient and successful.

A unique achievement in France

12.000 m² of surface, 5.000 m² of modular building, 160 rooms, 400 people accommodated, a unique project in France completed in just 6 months.

Ce shelter is intended for the accommodation of asylum seekers and homeless people. It offers a functional and pleasant collective living space where each modular construction is dedicated to a specific function.

Beyond the 160 rooms, several modular spaces have been fitted out to guarantee a welcome and a quality of life for each person accommodated. Security post, refectory offices, toilets and changing rooms, relaxation rooms, this project brings together different typologies of modular buildings, some of which have R + 1 floors.

2 ½ months were necessary to define and prepare the project. After 1 month of study for the design phase, it was 1 and a half months that were devoted to earthworks and networks of 12.000 m² of land.

In terms of buildings, more than 300 prefabricated modules were needed to build the 5.000 m² of housing. An action made possible by the stock of more than 10.000 m² permanently available at the headquarters of the company Deltamod (44) and its partnership with one of the leaders in modular construction in France, the company Cougnaud (85), supplier of additional infrastructure .

Once the raw material was available, the prefabricated buildings were reconditioned in the factory before being transferred directly to the site. A total renovation of the old structures to refurbish them. Insulation, floors, ceilings, electricity, plumbing, sanitary, interior decoration, exterior equipment, everything has been redesigned to bring these buildings back to life. A 3 ½ month work of reconditioning and installation which, beyond their new vocation dedicated to accommodation, will have avoided the destruction of these buildings and consequently the generation of new waste.

The modular reuse building at the service of the circular economy

This is also the heart of this project shelter. Unlike traditional structures, opting for a reuse solution generates advantages such as:

Environmental

Bringing old buildings back to life avoids the destruction and generation of several tonnes of waste.

Social

Dismantling, transferring, installing, repackaging helps maintain employment and create social ties.

Regulatory

Contributing to extending the life of the modules helps to limit the consumption and waste of resources (raw materials, water, energy) in accordance with the regions anti-waste bill.

Economic

Building in a modular building offers the possibility of moving the structures to another site and repackaging them according to future use (schools, offices, storage, changing rooms, etc.).

A BIG project that will make small

If this work is a first for the actors, a first in France, it must open new perspectives to society Deltamod and all the companies and associations in charge of creating rapid housing or accommodation solutions.

Speed, flexibility, economy, environment, all the factors come together to give birth to other achievements of this type.

The Alteralia association, through the voice of its president Olivier DUBAUT, is already reflecting on other projects by drawing on the experience of that of Clichy. Then, it is the know-how of the company Deltamod who will do the rest by supporting their future customers in terms of reconditioning but especially in terms of services transfer and recycling of the modular building, a professional and comprehensive service to meet the challenges of new responses in terms of housing and accommodation for the XNUMXst century.

3 questions to: Olivier DUBAUT President ALTERALIA

What is Alteralia's mission?

Alteralia is an association aiming to help and support the State and local communities in emergency accommodation and housing projects for people in difficulty. We come from the ALJ93 association located in Aubervilliers which modified its statutes 3 years ago now to respond to regional and national projects. We work in particular with the prefectures of Ile de France to organize the spaces that will accommodate young workers, asylum seekers or even isolated minors with the departments.

Can you describe the contours and challenges of this modular project?

First of all, this modular construction project is twofold. The first part, mandated by the State, relates to an emergency accommodation center welcoming asylum seekers with a capacity of 250 places. The second, with a capacity of 120 places, is intended for the accommodation of homeless people at the request of the Regional Council of Ile de France and the French Red Cross.

The main issue for this type of accommodation is the start-up time. Time flies and winter does not wait to crack down. It is important to find quick solutions to implement despite the weather constraints related to construction. The choice of modular building was a natural choice.

We therefore worked in close collaboration for 4 to 5 months with the Hauts de Seine prefecture and our supplier Deltamod to carry out and achieve this large-scale construction of 5 m² within the time allowed.

Why did you choose Deltamod?

Already, building in modular buildings was a first for us. We had to find a reactive, agile company and I sincerely admire the work of this SME.

Then it's the unique approach of Deltamod which seduced us by offering us modular buildings for reuse. The buildings are used prefabricated units which are completely reconditioned on site or in the factory to give them new life. In addition, these structures are removable and reusable in the future for our new projects.

It is for us an innovative, cheaper and faster solution which opens the way to new emergency accommodation files.

3 questions to: Pierre VISONNEAU Co-director of DELTAMOD

Why did you accept this major project?

I do not know if I can describe this large-scale project but rather a challenge. 12.000 m² of earthworks, 5.000 m² of modular building to be transferred, reconditioned and installed in 6 months, the stakes were high for all employees of the company. Now, a battle is not fought alone. We were able to count on the support of Alteralia through the intermediary of Mr Olivier DUBAUT, President, of Mr Christophe AUGER, General Manager, for all project management, without forgetting Cougnaud for the addition of modular buildings. It is a team effort and a permanent collaboration which allowed us to offer quality accommodation on time.

It is also this type of project that makes teams and a company grow because we must all mobilize at the same time and with the same energy to meet the requirements of these projects. That is why I extend my congratulations to all the people (employees, subcontractors, partners, etc.) who have worked to bring this emergency social housing infrastructure to life.

How did you convince Alteralia to opt for the refurbished modular?

It is true that our proposal was far from being successful knowing that Alteralia had never carried out a modular building work.

The choice of our company is based on our unique and innovative approach in connection with the circular economy. If modular construction allows rapid and economical implementation required on this type of project, our modular building reuse offer brings this environmental differentiation. Since our creation, we have campaigned for the reduction of waste by advocating the reuse of old prefabricated products. Thus, we give new life to old buildings by reconditioning them directly on site according to the request of our client. Finally, we combine a modular transfer and recycling service which will allow our client to move and recondition their prefabricated buildings for another use in another place.

The leaders of Alteralia were particularly sensitive to our environmental approach but also to our teams and our partners during their visit to our premises with representatives of the State.

Do you have other projects of this type for Deltamod?

This achievement is unique in France. It is a first for all the players and we must take a step back to analyze all the factors.

However, the client Alteralia is very satisfied with the result and plans to repeat the experience on other similar projects. Then, my service providers and my teams were also up to the challenge that awaited us. I would therefore be tempted to answer "YES" without hesitation even if the duration and the size of this project must be reflected and measured in an organization.

Finally, we must convince other organizations to change their habits in construction and I sincerely think that the Clichy accommodation center (92) will be a benchmark in modular construction and in particular that of modular re-employment building in France.

Deltamod in a few lines

Created in 2013, the company Deltamod is developing its business model around an eco-responsible proactive approach. A player in the circular economy, she decides to recondition old modular buildings to give them a second life. Based in Nort-sur-Erdre (Pays de Loire), the company now has 28 expert employees to become the specialist in modular re-employment around 3 main trades:

• The sale of reconditioned and used modular constructions
• The provision of services such as modular transfer and commissioning
• The redemption, reconditioning and recycling of modular buildings.

To date, this new approach has saved more than 25.000 m² of modular buildings from destruction. A small gesture which is added to all the actions in favor of the circular economy and our environment.