Building passive houses before they became the norm, experimenting with bio-based materials, prioritising reuse, and designing buildings built to last: at Beng Architectes, these principles predate the emergence of the term ‘CSR’. Since its foundation 35 years ago, the architectural practice has integrated environmental considerations into its approach to project design.
Although it was the first architectural practice in Luxembourg to be awarded the INDR’s ESR label in 2021 – and subsequently re-certified a second time – the group nevertheless chose to take part in the Banque de Luxembourg’s CSR workshops. Since 2024, the bank has been offering a series of workshops on sustainability to around ten senior executives. Over a six-month period, participants meet one morning a month to discuss the five pillars of CSR – governance, employees, community, environment and customers – before devoting a final module to the implementation of their projects.
We’ve been committed to sustainability for 35 years. We may not have said so, or perhaps we weren’t even aware of it, but we’ve always been determined to work in a way that respects the environment.
For Beng Architectes, the aim was not to identify these issues, but to give a more formal structure to an approach that was already well established. ‘We’ve always been mindful of these issues. We’ve been in business for 35 years, and we’ve been practising sustainability for 35 years. Without saying so, and perhaps without realising it at the time – we didn’t use all those technical terms back then – we’ve always been committed to working in an environmentally responsible way, with a focus on sustainability,” explains the partner at Beng Architectes, 
In his view, the main benefit of the workshops lies, above all, in the exchanges between companies.
“What really struck me was realising that we all had the same questions and faced the same challenges, even though we were in completely different sectors. Ultimately, we’re not alone in facing these challenges.”
A process that begins right from the design stage of buildings
At Beng, sustainability is first and foremost reflected in our projects. The choice of materials, reducing resource consumption, the use of reusable materials and minimising our environmental footprint have guided our architects’ decisions for many years. This circular economy approach was already at the heart of the brochure published by the practice in 2021, which brings together several decades of experimentation and concrete achievements.
These include the ‘Neit Wunnen’ housing estate in Putscheid, developed between 2001 and 2005. This pilot project served as a testing ground for low-energy and passive buildings powered by local renewable energy sources, at a time when such standards were not yet widespread.
More recently, Beng has experimented with other materials and techniques. In Dudelange, a residential building for vulnerable families was constructed largely using Luxembourg beech timber sourced from a local forest. The practice also designed a residential building using hemp blocks as a building material, before overseeing the construction of the Äerdschëff in Redange-sur-Attert, a building that is self-sufficient in water, energy, heating and food, built partly from recycled materials, including used tyres.
Even a small architectural practice can help bring about change in working practices.
“We are designers and specifiers. Simply by specifying more sustainable and environmentally friendly materials, we can make a difference. Even a small architectural practice can help bring about change in industry practices.”
Giving staff a greater say
The workshops have also led Beng to make changes to certain internal practices, particularly in the area of human resources. The company now conducts a personalised interview at the end of the probationary period. New employees complete a questionnaire which helps to assess their integration, their working conditions and areas for improvement. “People feel listened to and valued. And we take their feedback on board.”
Annual appraisals have also been completely overhauled. The new forms allow staff more space to express themselves and focus on discussions about their skills and development rather than on assessment. “The idea is to provide far more opportunities for employees to express themselves and fewer boxes where you have to give someone a mark, a bit like at school.”
Another change: every new recruit is now assigned a mentor to support them during their first few months, to help them settle into the company.
Going beyond the label
Although Beng already held the ESR certification before joining the workshops, this experience prompted the group to take things to the next level.
The company chose to draw up its first sustainability report in accordance with the VSME framework of its own accord, even though it is not required to do so by law. At the same time, it carried out its first carbon assessment, a project that had often been discussed but had never been implemented until then.
“We used to talk about it regularly, but we never actually did it. This time, we did it,” says Denis Rosolen.
A trend that is spreading throughout the group
The workshops also strengthened staff engagement. The CSR working group, set up in 2020 to prepare for the first ESR accreditation, was expanded following an internal call for applications. Several staff members expressed an interest in joining this group, a sign of growing interest in these issues.
You don’t need to be a company with 50, 100 or 500 employees to put CSR into practice.
The questionnaires carried out as part of the double materiality analysis also show that employees’ concerns largely relate to the environmental impact of the group’s activities.
“It shows that there is genuine interest after all,” notes Denis Rosolen.
For the architect, CSR should not be seen as an initiative reserved for large companies. “Everyone can make a difference, whether individually or collectively. You don’t need to be 50, 100 or 500 people to put CSR into practice. In our profession, every decision taken right from the design stage of a building has consequences for the materials that will be used and their environmental impact.”
