The largest hydrogen systems production plant in Europe,
Symbio’s fuel cell manufacturing site, the current leaders
in hydrogen in Europe, has been home to almost 650
employees, including some 450 engineers, since September
2023. As part of the “France 2030” project, its location in
Saint-Fons responds to a major challenge: it will accelerate
the development of the industry, and efficiently connect
Research-Innovation to the dense and rich ecosystem of
Lyon’s Chemical Valley.
As a tool-building, combining an old hall rehabilitated
to house the head office, and a new R&D and production
site, the architectural project combines ideal functional
efficiency with a high degree of modularity. Optimized
construction, close proximity, clear flows, the ability to
constantly evolve manufacturing areas, and the close
connection between research and production, all combine
to form a response tailored to the needs of a high-tech
company totally focused on innovation. In Saint-Fons,
the Symbio gigafactory covers an area of 26,000 m²,
including production areas and cleanrooms, Research
& Development, the Symbio Hydrogen Academy and
8,000 m² headquarters office space, half of which has
been restructured. Eventually the site would expand to
40,000 m2.
Maximizing the efficiency of the floor plan, a wide street
irrigates the process level, and its long-span open plans
allow for optimal scalability. Structuring flows, it also forms
a living space where all support functions are articulated.
The tertiary zones are located on the first floor, in the
extension of the head office building, which is housed in
the rehabilitated former Solvay hall. Between the two, an
entrance forecourt and the hall, a sort of keystone of the
project, a showcase space for Symbio and a hub of activity,
provide a functional link between the 2 levels of the existing
building on one side and the office floor of the R&D center
on the other. The site is energy self-sufficient and certified
BREEAM “Very Good”.
Team
Director
Project leader
Myriam Dana, Christine Guillas
Team
Vincent Orthlieb, Ketty Maitre, Corinne Thibaut, Etienne Sigros, Marie-Anne Steinhaus, Sabine Fontana, Nicole Combalot, Annick Isnard, Florian Burnichon, Adrien Jacques le seigneur