Today Steiner hosted the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Osiris project, which was attended by representatives of the client and the municipality of Echallens as well as agents. The ceremony marks the symbolic start of construction work. Steiner is paying special attention to the environmental aspects of the construction of Osiris, which is its biggest eco-neighbourhood project in French-speaking Switzerland.
 
The eco-neighbourhood scheme was developed by Realtim, Equitim and ODS Investhome. It aims to obtain Minergie-P-Eco certification, which is awarded to projects that incorporate environmental factors into their construction. Certification is also the reason why Steiner is using recycled concrete on more than half of the project. Furthermore, strict criteria on grey energy and the labelling of materials such as wood have to be respected, while Steiner’s teams are also ensuring that waste materials and water are dealt with efficiently at the site. 

Aware of the need to keep distances as short as possible, the total (design and build) contractor relies as much as possible on local subcontractors in all its projects. At present, more than 75% of the subcontractors working on Osiris come from within 50 kilometres of the site.
 
Close to the countryside and town centre
The eco-neighbourhood will comprise 15 buildings housing 410 apartment units. It will provide a green living environment benefiting from generous grounds and soft mobility options. The neighbourhood will rely on renewable energy for its heating and electricity by using geothermal heat pumps and photovoltaic panels. Moreover, since the heating system will be reversible, it will also be used for free cooling during the summer. Located just a short walk from the centre of Echallens, the eco-neighbourhood will offer ideal conditions for soft mobility. Bicycle-accessible pathways and bicycle garages will also be built on the site. 
 
Steiner began the structural works in summer 2021 after the project owner had completed the earthworks. As the project has been divided into phases, the buildings are all at different stages of construction. First-phase buildings are at an advanced stage, whereas the basements and first above-ground levels of the other two phases are currently being built. Handover of the Osiris project will take place in spring 2023.