The Montpellier-Occitanie Center for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD) is embarking on the restructuring of its main site, in Lavalette (Hérault). “This operation should allow us to have a functional, shared, modernized and compliant real estate portfolio,” explains Arthur Goubet, technical director of developments and maintenance at CIRAD. The project will be part of a Sustainable Buildings Occitanie approach or equivalent, with a bioclimatic approach to buildings which will be positive energy. “It will also be a matter of ensuring the highest possible user comfort and giving more space to soft mobility,” he adds.
Concours. At a cost of €13.4 million TDC (excluding scientific equipment), this first tranche is financed by the State and the Occitanie regional council under the State-region plan contract (CPER) as well as by Montpellier Méditerranée Metropolis. It includes a new construction of approximately 2,000 m2 with laboratories and offices, as well as the rehabilitation of an existing building. The call for applications from architects is launched this month of October with the competition starting at the end of November and work starting at the end of 2025-beginning of 2026.
The second part will focus on the renovation of two buildings from the 1970s and the demolition of five constructions that have become thermal sieves. CIRAD is counting on the next CPER 2028-2034 and state aid earmarked for energy renovation to complete the budget estimated at €20 million.
