CSR Commitments
Do less, to generally do more.
At PDA, the environmental approach begins with a choice: start from what already exists. Refurbish rather than demolish, preserve what can be preserved, reuse whenever possible. This requirement guides our work in design as well as on site, and applies to the agency's daily operations. We continue this approach with a clear objective: measure the impact of our projects and of the agency more precisely, and share the results.
Refurbish rather than rebuild
The most sustainable building is often the one we keep. The vast majority of our projects are refurbishments (offices, hotels, housing, retail) in Paris and the inner suburbs.
Each project begins with an in-depth assessment and a 3D survey of the existing building. These allow us to identify precisely what can be kept (structure, facades, floors) and to intervene only where it really matters.
Material reuse, integrated from the design phase
On each project, we study reuse possibilities:
in situ: keep and reuse existing materials and equipment on site
ex situ: send removed elements to other sites, or bring in reclaimed materials from other projects.
Reuse depends on technical constraints, insurance requirements, schedules and material availability. We address them case by case, to go as far as each project allows.
Certified projects
Our projects regularly achieve market-recognized certifications: BREEAM, BBCA, WiredScore, OsmoZ… Awarded by independent bodies, they attest to measured and verified performance: environment, carbon, connectivity, quality of life.
Paris's Bioclimatic Local Urban Plan
Our Paris projects are designed in line with the Bioclimatic Local Urban Plan (PLU): greening, permeable ground, summer comfort, energy performance. The agency now has specialists in this new regulatory framework, who support our teams from the very first sketches.
In the studio: good everyday habits
Waste sorting, minimal printing, careful use of electricity: these habits are encouraged across the whole team and are part of how we work every day.
Passing on knowledge
Training the next generation is part of our job. The agency welcomes apprentices and interns, who join our teams on real projects.
Supported by a mentor, they take part in our projects from design through to construction: hands-on experience of refurbishment, reuse and new environmental requirements.
Whenever possible, we also welcome school pupils on work-experience placements, to introduce them to the architecture profession and the reality of a construction site.
Sponsor of the Elevator Race
PDA is a sponsor of the Elevator Race, the charity race that brings the Paris real estate community together every year: 20 laps of 1 km, each run faster than the last. All funds raised are donated to a charity, a different one each year.
A point of pride: the Biennale Bâtir Vivant at 10-12 rue Lincoln
From April 2 to 12, 2026, the Biennale Bâtir Vivant was held at 10-12 rue Lincoln (Paris 8th arrondissement), one of our ongoing projects. Organized by the Institut pour un Design Soutenable, it is dedicated to the materials of tomorrow and to plastic-free design.
Hosting this event in a building we are transforming is a source of pride for the whole team. It reflects our conviction: existing buildings have their rightful place in the debate on how to build differently.
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