WCES - Initiale Tower - WCES Certificate

Energy performance

24.6 %

Energy savings

158.9 kWh/m²/year

Absolute performance

2.0 kgCO₂/m²/year

Carbon intensity

Operation Context

Tour Initiale is a 34,045 m² multi-tenant office tower in the La Défense business district, west of Paris. Completed in 1966 as Tour Nobel, it was the first office tower built in La Défense and marked the beginning of vertical development in the district. A major renovation led by Valode & Pistre in 2003 modernized the interior and gave the tower its current name. It is managed by Esset Property Management with Colliers as Asset Manager.

Through participation in the 2023 CUBE competition, Tour Initiale achieved 25% energy savings, placing first in the high-rise category and fifth in the overall La Défense ranking. This reduction was driven by a combination of technical adjustments — such as heating setpoint reductions, tighter HVAC scheduling, and lighting optimizations — supported by an energy performance contract with Vinci and refined monitoring through a PowerBI-based tool. On the usage side, a green committee shared efficiency actions with tenants in a "test and learn" mode and awareness campaigns engaged occupants on everyday energy-saving habits.

Key measures implemented

The main actions implemented to reduce the energy consumption of this building.

Efficiency Investments

Installation of LED lighting and switches for lighting in mechanical rooms.

Technical Optimization

Energy Performance Contract with Vinci and refined monitoring through a PowerBI System.
Gradual reduction of heating setpoints (from 23°C to 21°C initially, then from 21°C to 19°C), 17°C in high-traffic areas like kitchen, laundry room, utility rooms, and archives.
Restriction of AHU operating hours to occupancy periods (8 a.m.–7 p.m. with a shutdown between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.).
Specific settings for fan coil units to manage the exposure of the tower’s four sides.
Closure of hot water and chilled water valves during the off-season;.
Shutdown of domestic hot water (except for showers on certain floors).
Optimization of parking lot lighting (every other light turned off).

Use Sufficiency

Establishment of a green committee (one meeting per quarter) which shares energy-saving initiatives with tenants on a trial-and-error basis.
“Night tracking” initiative to monitor building systems during periods of vacancy.
Awareness campaigns on technical measures, waste sorting, eco-friendly practices, etc.
Creation of Ouma Portal: a ticketing system available on technicians' phones.

Technical context

Floor area 34,045 m²

Number of floors 30

Activity type Office

Year built 1964 - 1966 (Renovated 2003)

Building structure status Property manager

Initiale Tower