“Building today with yesterday’s materials”: ​​two companies specializing in wood are setting up their new headquarters in Saint-Gaudens

The Futuropole of Saint-Gaudens is expanding with the arrival of a brand new wooden building. The head office of Compas and I3C, two Saint-Gaudin companies specializing in wooden construction, was inaugurated on Friday October 11. This new headquarters meets the needs of these two rapidly developing companies, while serving as a showcase for them. “We wanted an eco-responsible building that corresponds to them and highlights what they are capable of doing,” presents Daniel Carsalade, president of the two structures whose creation he supported in 2017.

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On the one hand, the I3C company is a wood construction design and engineering office. With 9 employees, the company records a turnover of €620,000. On the other hand, Compas, 14 employees for 4.5 million euros in turnover, is a specialist in wooden construction. Two related activities, because I3C can sometimes design plans which will be implemented directly by Compas. But both companies also work independently, each with its own clients.

An autonomous building

After 10 months of work, which represents an investment excluding tax of 1.05 million euros, I3C and Compas moved in July to premises designed to be as energy efficient and as autonomous as possible. “The building does not need to be heated or cooled. It regulates the solar input itself thanks to its overall design,” explains the president. Designed by the Aurignac architectural firm Lion’L, the building is equipped with photovoltaic shades for its energy production.

Everything was made with biosourced materials, mainly from the region: wooden frame, straw or wood fiber insulation, or even earth coatings. Throughout the construction, I3C and Compas took the opportunity to train local craftsmen in the different techniques used.

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“We wanted to show that we are capable of making buildings today with materials from yesterday,” explains Audrey Cames, director of the I3C design office, while showing us around the new 586 m2 premises. Open and closed offices, relaxation room and kitchen… “We wanted to create a pleasant environment where everyone can feel good,” describes the director.

The inauguration was an opportunity to announce that a third company would join the headquarters: Novatec, a Toulouse design office specializing in concrete. I3C will also establish itself in the offices of its partner, located in Saint-Orens-de-Gameville. A way to shine more widely in Haute-Garonne.