Nîmes University Institute of Technology

A Look Back at the GC-CD Challenge

Published on in Business, Student Life, Institutional Life

For its 9th edition, the Civil Engineering – Sustainable Construction Challenge was held at the IUT in Nîmes from June 10 to 12: 31 student teams from IUTs across France enjoyed a friendly and engaging experience during this competition, which focused on two themes: Building and Public Works. A total of 190 students, faculty members, and professionals, as well as all students from the GCCD department, attended the contestants’ presentations.

Organized by Caroline Denhez and the teams in the Civil Engineering Department she heads, the event took place under bright sunshine, giving participants the opportunity to explore the city of Nîmes in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The students worked on two projects prepared by Éric Pradier, a faculty member in the department:

  • Topic No. 1 (Architecture): Design and Digital Modeling of a Development Project for the Nîmes University Institute of Technology (IUT)
  • Topic No. 2 (Civil Engineering): Incorporation of site-source or reused materials into a building project

The first day featured an energetic welcome, with participants taking part in preliminary activities followed by sports and recreational events. The projects were presented to the public in the IUT’s Halle Béton on Wednesday, June 11, throughout the morning, and the afternoon was devoted to hands-on workshops exploring the construction of rammed earth walls, straw bale walls, and low-carbon concrete, as well as a workshop on augmented reality to compare the completed projects with real-world conditions.

The day ended on a high note with a gala evening at the Musée de la Romanité, attended by Philippe Augé, president of the University of Montpellier.

On Thursday, June 12, the juries deliberated, and several awards were presented to recognize the quality of the submitted works.

The Winners

Professional jury or jury of finalists: 6 teams in the running

Topic #1 – Construction

  • Saint-Pierre University Institute of Technology (IUT) – BUT 3
  • Bordeaux 1 University Institute of Technology – BUT 3
  • Reims University Institute of Technology (IUT) – BUT 2

Architecture Award: Reims University Institute of Technology (IUT)

Topic No. 2 – Urban Planning

  • La Rochelle University Institute of Technology (IUT) – BUT 3
  • IUT de Nîmes 2 – BUT 2
  • Tarbes University Institute of Technology (IUT) – BUT 2

Landscape Design Award: La Rochelle University Institute of Technology (IUT)

Jury's Favorite: Tarbes University Institute of Technology (IUT)

Student Jury: 6 teams competing for a single prize

Topic #1 – Construction

  • Saint-Nazaire University Institute of Technology (IUT) – BUT 3
  • Bordeaux 2 University Institute of Technology – BUT 3
  • La Rochelle University Institute of Technology (IUT) – BUT 3

Topic No. 2 – Urban Planning

  • Rennes University Institute of Technology (IUT) – BUT 3
  • Egletons University Institute of Technology (IUT) – BUT 2
  • Cergy University Institute of Technology – BUT 2

Student Awards: La Rochelle University Institute of Technology (IUT), with a focus on architecture

Tied for 5th place overall in the challenge:

  • Saint-Pierre University Institute of Technology (IUT) – BUT 3 (Building Engineering)
  • Bordeaux 1 University Institute of Technology – BUT 3 (Civil Engineering track)
  • Nîmes 2 University Institute of Technology – BUT 2 (urban planning track)
  • Rennes University Institute of Technology (IUT) – BUT 3 (Urban Planning)

Congratulations to all the candidates!

Thank you all for the great atmosphere, the organization, and the good spirits.

The next event is scheduled for 2027 in Rennes.

The department and the IUT would like to thank all the companies that sponsored the challenge for their support and commitment.