Gif-sur-Yvette (Essonne)In'Cube:Danone research and innovation centre

An innovation centre at the cutting edge of research

In'Cube: Danone's research and innovation centre

Following the highly successful construction of the Danone headquarters in Rueil-Malmaison, delivered in October 2020, the major French group reaffirmed its confidence in Eiffage Construction by awarding it the contract to build In'Cube.

Located on the Saclay hub, an internationally renowned science park, In'Cube is Danone's Research and Innovation Centre. It is designed to optimise the quality of life at work for employees but also to create, test and incubate the innovations of tomorrow in the food sector.

The mixed wood-concrete structure, the care given to spaces for dialogue and creation, alongside the importance given to plant life and water management, make this project a symbol of the Danone Group's ambitions.

Key figures

  1. 17,000 m²

    of concrete, including 11,000 m3 of low-carbon concrete (CEM III A)

  2. 1,250 tonnes

    of steel

  3. 8,323 m²

    of wooden floors and 733 m3 of posts made of glued laminated timber

  4. 2,900 m²

    of planted patios

An architectural showcase for Danone's ambitions in terms of scientific excellence

The façade of In'Cube: Danone's research and innovation centre

This research and development unit includes a number of research offices and laboratories, as well as «pilots», miniature factories for limited production runs. In'Cube also offers a range of shared spaces for developers and researchers, enabling them to work together on the design of new products. A tasting area, for «tests» with volunteer consumers, has also been created.

The architecture of the building was designed to ensure transparency and permeability of the block, between glazed façades and openwork infill, allowing the multiple collaborative spaces to interact with each other. Innovation was the key word in the architectural design of this tertiary building; the use of wood is a fine example of this. It predominates throughout the building, lending a warm and unique atmosphere to the whole.

As the winner of macro-lot n°2, Eiffage Construction was responsible for the foundations, timber/concrete structure, waterproofing, metalwork and locks. Eiffage Construction Hors-Site and Savare were involved in this project for the installation of the timber structure as well as the Sheds, a showcase and architectural signature of the project. These are made up of two 16-metre long beams, partially manufactured in Savare's workshop.

An exemplary low-carbon construction

Offering 21,000 m2 of space, this wood/concrete mixed development, complies with strong low-carbon objectives and perfectly embodies the environmental strategy of the Eiffage Group.

By using materials with a very low impact on the environment, such as timber (used as a structural element (glued laminated timber posts in the exterior wall load-bearing frame) and in the construction of floors made of crossed solid wood slats) and thanks to the building's sober energy consumption (compactness, external blinds and photovoltaic panels on the fifth outer wall), the building achieves an unprecedented carbon threshold for an industrial building, with a carbon weight of 360 kgCO2eq/m² for macro-lot n°2, enabling it to aim for the following certifications: 

  • BBCA V3, 
  • HQE Sustainable Building 2016 level Excellent, 
  • BREEAM NC 2016 level Excellent, Osmoz (1 lever) and 
  • Ready2Services (1 star).

L’ élément suivant est une vidéo Watch a video of the project

Project participants

Delivery: September 2022

Images