PHYTOCLIM: an IJPB project for “social and environmental responsibility” INRAE RSE

The PHYTOCLIM project was selected during the 3rd call for proposals from the INRAE RSE Incubator. This pilot project, implemented at the INRAE Ile-de-France – Versailles-Saclay Center, aims to create vertical and horizontal plant-based ecosystems, installed at ground level, to protect the cooling units and laboratories located on the south-facing facade of one of the IJPB research buildings on the Versailles site.

This "low-tech" project, supported by the center, aligns with the institute's SER strategy. It may serve as a demonstrator to promote the use of vegetation to protect climate control systems and cool buildings without damaging the structures, while also taking local fauna (such as swallows) into account and enhancing plant biodiversity. It was launched in January 2025.

The project is led by three IJPB members working in the building:
> Mathilde Fagard, "Nitrogen-Pathogen Interactions" NPI team
> Thomas Girin, "Nitrogen Use, transport and signaling"  NUTS team
> Noémie Vignolles, "Carbon, Allocation, Transport and Signaling" CATS team 
Students from the “Outdoor Space Designers” program at LEA-CFI school (bachelor’s level – 3 years post high school) participated in designing the project.

A second phase of the project is being considered and is currently under review.