14.04.2025
Comfort, energy efficiency and aesthetics: Equans France meets the challenge of Maison Heler
On March 27, Maison Heler opened its doors in Metz. This unusual hotel was designed by Philippe Starck. Maison Heler called on Axima, an Equans France entity, to install the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, combining comfort, energy efficiency and aesthetics.
Comfort and aesthetics: the challenges of Starck's masterpiece
Maison Heler hotel, Metz. Credit: Julius Hirtzberger / Maison Heler
Maison Heler doesn't go unnoticed: rising to a height of 40 meters, the nine floors of this 4-star hotel are topped by an 18th-century Lorraine house, housing a bar-restaurant opening onto a tree-lined roof terrace.
The challenge for this establishment, with its bold and demanding architecture, was to guarantee the comfort of the occupants of its 104 rooms and suites without compromising on design.
Axima ensures optimal thermal comfort for Maison Heler guests, thanks to tailor-made heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. To respect the aesthetics designed by Philippe Starck, the equipment installed was adapted to the hotel's shapes, volumes and colors. Another major challenge was acoustic comfort.
In a top-of-the-range establishment, silence is a luxury you don't compromise on. To avoid any noise pollution from ventilation, Axima opted for oversized equipment.
This technical choice allows the air to circulate more slowly in the networks, drastically reducing blowing or vibration noise. The result: efficient air conditioning that's virtually invisible and inaudible.
Energy performance and occupant safety: a behind-the-scenes look at a top-of-the-range hotel complex
Maison Heler complies with Haute Qualité Environnementale (HQE) and RT2012 standards (which guarantee the energy performance of buildings). The heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems installed by Axima comply with these standards.
They are also designed to be energy-efficient. Credit: Julius Hirtzberger / Maison Heler connected to the Metz Eurometropole (UEM) district heating and chilled water network, fuelled by local, low-carbon energy sources such as biomass.
Finally, to ensure occupant safety, Axima installed autonomous detectors directly on the air handling units. Capable of stopping ventilation in the event of smoke, they are complemented by an emergency stop device.
"Maison Heler was a real challenge for our teams. We had to meet the technical and aesthetic requirements of such an establishment. The result is worthy of our efforts. We're proud to have contributed our expertise to this project, which combines occupant comfort with a commitment to the environment"
concludes Mathieu Barrier, project manager for the Axima Lorraine branch of Equans France, based in Metz.
