The tertiary decree is incredibly ambitious but necessary.

Décideurs: What lessons do you draw from the health crisis and the confinements for your projects?
Jean-François Couëc: The crisis has accelerated pre-existing trends in which our projects were already part of. First, workplace hybridization is gaining momentum and this accelerating trend is good for Kardham. Then, digitalization has experienced a phenomenal advance: in two months of confinement, we have gained several years of increasing digital habits in every mind. Another of these teachings lies in the environmental awareness that has developed since the first confinement. Finally, this crisis created the conditions for a greater consensus between employees and management. There is no need to go to the workplace as often as before and it becomes possible to reduce the size of the offices in return for better equipment and a more functional and identifiable workspace: the quality will take the advantage over the number of square meters.

What do you think of the decarbonisation objective and what this implies in real estate?
The tertiary decree is incredibly ambitious but necessary. At Kardham, we have included the environmental approach in our projects for several years: we are the first company to have officially received the Osmoz label. If we give ourselves the means to achieve the decarbonisation goals, we will do it. I am proud that Europe is placing us in a binding regulatory framework. Granted, it costs money and sometimes causes discomfort, but these few small sacrifices are worth it. If we become green in this matter, we will win for our own well-being and especially that of future generations.

What are Kardham's recent achievements in this area?
Five years ago, we were the assistant owner of the Zehnder group and supported them in the construction project of one of the first buildings to benefit from a quadruple certification, according to the standards of several countries in cutting edge in this area, including Switzerland. This project was a precursor because, for example, we looked for geothermal sources to regulate the temperature in the building. In addition, at this time, Kardham is assistant to the owner of the future head office of CNP Assurances. Indeed, this company will move to Issy-les-Moulineaux as part of the "Cœur de ville" project of 100,000 square meters in the middle of a park of 13,000 square meters. It includes shops, a cinema, 600 housing units and 40,000 square meters of offices. We were selected three years ago to lead the office move operation. This project has a triple certification: Bepos, HQE and Breeam. In addition, the district should benefit from the BiodiverCity label. This brilliant project illustrates well the evolutions of the city and what it tends to become tomorrow.

Office real estate is undergoing changes, what are your achievements and projects in this area?
One of our achievements in this area is the Capgemini flagship in Issy-les-Moulineaux called "147": it is a 35,000 square meter project where Capgemini brought together employees from seven sites. to create a collective dynamic. The aim is to set up functional, identity-based, collective, technological places in which employees take pleasure in meeting each other. This goes through convivial spaces, in particular a very large terrace. This project meets all these criteria and responds to the major real estate trends of the moment.

What are your prospects in France for the years to come?
Historically there were ten of us, today we are 400. We have reached a critical mass but are looking for the group to continue to grow, both externally and internally. In addition, we want to become a recognized Parisian architect. Our Parisian agency has been open for three years and carries out exciting projects! Then, in the planning business, we seek to develop new markets in retail, logistics, hotels, etc. In consulting and engineering, we want to be the benchmark players in operational management and sustainable development. Finally, when it comes to digital, the growth opportunities are endless. We are looking to develop in France and abroad in all of our businesses.

What is your vision for the city of tomorrow?
I think that the city of tomorrow will be more mixed in the sense that we will install in the same district offices, schools, housing, green spaces and cultural places. Then the city will be serene: we live in a society that seeks well-being and appeasement. Finally, the city will be impacted in many ways by new technologies. We will live more concentrated in our neighborhoods and go out less far to do our shopping because of the delivery set up with e-commerce. We will also see the emergence of the connected and autonomous car: technologies will accelerate the transformation of the city.