The town of Challes-les-Eaux, in partnership with Cristal Habitat and Grand Chambéry, celebrated the opening of L'Écrin Vert, a new residential complex focused on sustainable and accessible housing. Located on Rue des Mésanges, this project aims to meet local needs for social rental housing.
The operation, resulting from an expression of interest launched by the municipality, combines the renovation of the former presbytery, allowing for the refurbishment of 2 existing homes, with the construction of 7 new social rental units. In total, L'Écrin Vert offers 9 units of various sizes: 4 T3 apartments, 3 T4 apartments, and the 2 units from the renovation.
Among the 7 new homes, 4 are dedicated to rebuilding the social housing stock: 2 under the Prêt Locatif à Usage Social (PLUS) and 2 under the Prêt Locatif Aidé d'Intégration (PLAI). The other 3 units are offered under the Prêt Locatif Social (PLS).
L'Écrin Vert stands out for its strong environmental commitment. The 7 new homes feature the Passivhaus certification, guaranteeing a significant reduction in the building's energy needs. The project also incorporates the use of bio-based materials, domestic hot water production through solar energy, and a photovoltaic roof for electricity.
Designed as a large house integrated into its environment, the building is situated within a green space, prioritizing outdoor areas and collective use. Parking is partially integrated to free up outdoor space, where residents can enjoy shared gardens and a dedicated garden shed.
The Passivhaus certification, an internationally recognized label, attests to buildings with very low environmental impact, characterized by rigorous energy efficiency and durability standards. These buildings consume up to 90% less heating energy compared to conventional buildings, thanks to optimal insulation, excellent airtightness, and an efficient ventilation system, ensuring high thermal comfort.
Grand Chambéry actively supports this project as part of its policy for social housing. The community granted a subsidy of €41,652 in 2023 for the 4 homes rebuilding the social housing stock (2 PLUS and 2 PLAI). Additionally, Grand Chambéry provided a loan guarantee of 50% for the 7 social rental units, representing a loan of €1,575,675, with the remaining 50% guaranteed by the Department.
