In sunny Bordeaux, having intermediate spaces can be very pleasant for the mid-season and winter. These in-betweens can serve many purposes, notably as chill-out zones that are not exposed to the outdoor climate vagaries. Solar exposure would increase their temperature compared to the outdoors one, which would transform this intermediate space in a “nicer” outdoor, both for staying and for the parent building. However, these types of interactions are undervalued in the traditional and simplified ways of calculating thermodynamics, which often results in engineering recommendations that are not suited to the project´s vision. Precise calculations can bring to light the benefits of these spaces and result in more coherent architectural projects. Overall, these considerations together with a precise definition of window sizing, glazing properties and shading brought more light inside, more solar heat in winter, less in summer, and it helped to reduce global energy consumption.

"Les Halles Généreuses is the winning proposal for a durable and large-scale industrial complex in Blanquefort near Bordeaux (FR), organised by FAB (La Fabrique de Bordeaux Métropole). The 20 000 m² project, features a set of multipurpose and flexible production halls, joined in an elongated elliptical floor plan, and crossed by green transversal axes. The building will be the first stage of a sustainable industrial site ‘Ecoparc’. The building measures the scale of an industrial complex in relation to its surrounding landscape. The proportions of the building become territorial. The volume is composed of a series of warehouses separated by shared functional zones, making for a compact but porous building. The rounded perimeter facilitates access and by simple subdivisions creates a clear and easy use. The inner streets serve as common areas where various activities can be organised: parking areas, daily deliveries, a clear business address, etc. A light pergola structure transforms this industrial zone into a qualitative indoor space that also regulates the neighbouring office spaces by climatically regulated roofs and cross ventilation."
OFFICE KGDVS

Bordeaux´s climate is temperate oceanic, but remains very close to the humid-subtropical area. In summer, average high temperatures reach 26ºC, which is rather hot. Sun is strong, with a strong direct component with a maximum altitude of 68º. On extreme days (around 16 a year), temperatures rise above 30ºC and even above 35ºC (half of the days). The daily range is high, around 10ºC, which calls for the use of thermal inertia in order to control the heat. During winter, temperatures are very low, with an average of 7ºC in February. During the coldest periods (around 6 times a year, between 3 and 6 days each), temperature reaches -4ºC, and even -8ºC. The sky is mostly covered (60% of time), but during 25% it is sunny, which can be translated into considerable solar heat gains. The wind speed has an annual average of 3.3 m/s and prevailing winds come from West, even if the others are not negligible.