Sustainable construction

Sustainable construction is not a label added at the end of a project: it is a way of designing a building from the very start, by choosing the right materials, reducing energy consumption and limiting environmental impact at every stage of the works. At Class Orga, we integrate sustainable construction principles into all our projects, driven by our interior architecture studio which places environmental responsibility at the heart of every design.

Our approach is based on three pillars: low-carbon materials, a high-performance thermal envelope and optimised technical systems to sustainably reduce energy consumption. Each project is designed in compliance with SIA standards and Minergie standards, with the goal of achieving the best energy certifications (CECB, Minergie-P, Minergie-A, THPE).

The levers we use for sustainable construction:

• Responsible materials: solid wood, CLT (cross-laminated timber), low-carbon concrete, bio-sourced insulation (wood fibre, hemp, cellulose wadding), recycled materials and local supply chains to reduce transport and embodied carbon.
• High-performance envelope: reinforced thermal insulation of facades, roofs and floors, triple glazing, systematic treatment of thermal bridges and controlled air tightness.
• Efficient energy systems: heat pumps, dual-flow ventilation with heat recovery, photovoltaic or thermal solar panels, connection to district heating networks where available.
• Water management: rainwater harvesting, water-saving devices, permeable outdoor surfaces to limit runoff.
• Green roofs and facades: integration of vegetated surfaces for insulation, water retention, biodiversity and reduction of urban heat islands.
• Site management: selective sorting of construction waste, recovery and recycling of demolition materials, minimising nuisance for neighbours.

Sustainable construction is not reserved for large-scale projects. A single-family villa, a residential building or offices can all benefit from these approaches, on different scales and budgets. Our role is to advise you on the choices that will have the greatest impact, taking into account the cantonal grants available (Building Programme, Eco21) and the regulatory requirements in force in Geneva.