Marengo Multimodal Transport Hub
Effinature Biodiversity Certification — Toulouse, France
The Marengo Multimodal Transport Hub in Toulouse is one of France's most ambitious transport infrastructure projects. Designed by BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group and A+ Architecture for Region Occitanie, Toulouse Metropole and Europolia, the 12,000 sqm mass timber hub is designed to obtain Effinature biodiversity certification — alongside Silver Occitanie Batiments Durables and HQE Infrastructure certifications.
The Project
The Marengo hub will revitalise the urban area surrounding Toulouse's central Gare Matabiau station, uniting bus, railway and metro under one roof and tripling daily passenger capacity. Constructed primarily in mass timber, the building connects the city centre to the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi and the Periole neighbourhood to the east. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion of the underground connection to Gare Matabiau and metro station set for 2028.
Project details
- Client Region Occitanie, Toulouse Metropole, Europolia – ARAC Occitanie
- Architects BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group + A+ Architecture
- Size 12,000 m²
- Location Toulouse, France
- Construction start 2026
- Completion 2028 (underground connection to Gare Matabiau)
- Certifications Effinature HOR (Biodiversity) + Silver Occitanie Batiments Durables + HQE Infrastructure
- Effinature standard HOR 25.05 — Urban Development
- Certification body IRICE — independent certification body
Effinature Certification — HOR 25.05
Effinature certification is being pursued for the Marengo project under the HOR 25.05 standard (urban development and infrastructure). The certification documents the project's biodiversity integration across six action families: living soils, plant heritage, impact reduction, local wildlife habitats, user wellbeing and team competences.
As the urban developer behind the Grand Matabiau Quais d'Oc masterplan, Europolia has embedded Effinature as a mandatory biodiversity criterion across its operations — making Marengo one of a growing portfolio of Europolia projects engaged in accredited biodiversity certification.
International Press Coverage
This project has been covered by the leading international architecture media, each citing Effinature biodiversity certification as a key feature of the design:
Also covered by: Sharp Magazine, Archello, FuturArc, Arkitera, AFASIA Archzine, Dagens Byggeri, World Architecture Community, Archilovers.
Frequently asked questions
Certify the biodiversity of your infrastructure projects
Effinature is the only accredited certification dedicated to real estate and urban biodiversity. France and international.