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HDF Factory

Construction of the world's first high-power fuel cell manufacturing plant and its associated offices.

HDF is a pioneering SME based in Bordeaux, operating in the field of renewable energy storage using hydrogen. To enable the production of clean, non-intermittent electricity on a large scale and at a competitive cost, the company has developed high-power fuel cells (FCs) with the goal of standardizing their manufacturing. In doing so, HDF provides the industrial solution that was missing to enable large-scale renewable energy storage and ensure its availability 24/7, 365 days a year.

For this first high-power FC mass production plant in the world, HDF entrusted us with this ambitious project to have a single point of contact with full expertise in the technical, architectural, and environmental aspects of the construction. To achieve this, Patriarche is committed to the three pillars of project success: Quality / Cost / Timeframe.

HDF thus benefits from a strong architectural project, tailored to production requirements, and a building exemplary in terms of Environmental Quality, which enabled it to obtain BREEAM Very Good certification for both the design and construction phases. It offers its employees a healthy, attractive, and flexible working environment, designed to be scalable and adapt to rapidly growing demand.

 

 

Client : HDF Energy

Location : Blanquefort, France

Size : 7 170 m²

Status : Delivered

Date : 2024

Key points

  • Industrial silhouette.
  • Flexibility and scalability.
  • Workplace well-being.
  • Functionnal framework.

Environmental perfomances

  • BREEAM Very Good (conception
    and design).
  • Natural light.
  • Acoustic comfort.
  • Air quality.

Architectural intentions

A site-sensitive layout

The building is oriented North-South, parallel to the neighboring factory buildings and in line with the landscaped master plan of the city of Blanquefort. It is thus coherently integrated into the area's development scheme and the existing urban fabric.

A structured and scalable building

The project offers a simple, functional, and flexible framework that helps rationalize the building’s structure and the layout of workstations. To promote spatial modularity, long-span structures were chosen for both the factory and the office areas.

Optimized and luminous spaces

The shed-shaped roofs emphasize the industrial character of the building while providing exceptional spatial and lighting quality in the production area. They ensure optimal working conditions at all workstations by reducing the need for artificial lighting and, consequently, energy consumption.

The through-office space is illuminated via the peripheral façades to the East, North, and West, as well as by a central atrium that encourages informal interaction and communication among employees.

On the top floor, a dining area opening onto a terrace is provided for staff. All windows are equipped with adjustable external sunshades, allowing users to regulate brightness and solar gain according to the weather, seasons, time of day, and personal preferences.

Team

Patriarche (Architecture, Landscape, Urban Planning, Environmental Quality, BIM, Engineering, All Trades, Cost Management)

Credits

© Romuald Nicolas

Program

Industrial
Offices

Photos of the construction site

HDF Factory