A new director for the Nobatek/INEF4 Research Centre

Olivier Scheffer has taken up the directorship of the Nobatek / INEF 4 technological research centre, specialising in the sustainable development, renovation and construction sector and based at the Arkinova Technology Park.

Recruited in October 2016 to replace Jacques Tortos, Olivier Scheffer has been the new director of this organisation based at the Arkinova Technology Park since last July. Having graduated from a business school (ESCP Europe) and the University of Paris-Dauphine, Olivier Scheffer worked for around fifteen years in the development of products, start-ups and innovative businesses in the field of advanced information processing technologies.

“I always had a strong passion for architecture” he declared. After his career in information and communication technologies, he began a one year further education course at the Higher National School of the Decorative Arts. Olivier Scheffer followed this with another year at the Higher National School of Industrial Creation, finally carrying out research related to the environment and bio-mimicry. This research was complemented by work experience at the XTU firm of architects for whom he developed the R&D department and several research programmes, in particular on facades.

Today director of this centre with National Institute for Energy Transition certification, Olivier Scheffer presents his mission: “Nobatek/INEF 4 is undergoing a period of profound change and facing three major challenges. First of all, a regional research centre has to be transformed into a national institution for energy transition, with bases throughout the region and without losing Nobatek’s identity. Next, the centre has to connect with the academic world through the creation of shared laboratories wherever scientific expertise exists which is useful for energy transition in the building sector.  Finally, Nobatek /INEF4 must develop, based on its model of open innovation and involving the sector as a whole, solutions which have a real impact both on local economic development and on energy and environmental transition in the building sector. “

About Nobatek/INEF4

Created in 2004, and certified as a technological resource centre in 2007, the Nobatek Association set up at the Arkinova Technology Park in 2009 in a building created in accordance with the principles of eco-construction, and has expanded greatly, with the support of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and the Pays Basque Urban Authority. In 2016, the Nobatek association converted to an SCIC (Collective Interest Cooperative Company) entitled Nobatek/NEF4. The centre, awarded national institute for energy transition certification in 2013 by the Investments for the Future Programme, co-develops innovative solutions to help the entire building sector with energy and environmental transition.

Website: http://www.nobatek.com