New European Bauhaus Prizes

Identify the award category for which this project is being submitted

Reconnecting with nature

Project title

Maison bioclimatique C303

Full Project Title

Maison bioclimatique en béton de terre (terre du site)

Please provide a short, catchy description of your project to be used in communication towards the public.

The construction project for this single-storey bioclimatic individual house was developed according to bioclimatic, low-tech principles, but also integration with the site and reconnection to the surrounding nature. Echoing ancestral construction practices, and also in a circular economy initiative, the walls were erected in stabilized earth concrete, uninsulated and unreinforced, implemented using the traditional rammed earth technique.

Where was your project implemented?

France

At which level is the project implemented (e.g., does the project cover the entire national level, one or several regions, cities etc?)

Local

Please indicate which city(ies)/village(s)

Belberaud

Does your project address mainly urban or rural issues?

Mainly rural

Does your project refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?

It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

Is your project fully completed?

Yes

Please indicate the date your project was completed

2024-06-01

Has your project benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?

Has your project received an EU prize that included a monetary award?

Are you interested in participating in the ‘NEB Affordable Housing’ prize?

Please indicate on whose behalf you are submitting the application

As a representative of an organisation

Please provide a summary of your project, outlining the overall aim, target group(s), specific objective(s) and achieved outcomes in the context of the respective category you apply for

The objective of this project was to demonstrate that:
- earth construction could adapt to contemporary architecture;
- the know-how of yesteryear can be brought up to date;
- we can do without insulation when we work on matter and inertia, with the sun;
- the relationship with nature is essential;

We obtained a material of more than 10 mpa by using 30% of the site's soil in the formulation of the unreinforced and unreinforced load-bearing walls.

Winter and summer, the results in terms of comfort and energy consumption are convincing.

The building fits into the large landscape without difficulty.

Socially, the artisan finds pleasure in working, in contact with the earth, and regains the pride of being a craftsman.

Recognitions obtained:
- Construction Trophy 2024 - BATIACTU/SMA
- Décarbonnons Materials&Light Trophy - DA
- Special mention Constructive Process - AVIVRE

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.

Reuse of earth

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

Ancestral know-how

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

sustainable development

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

reconnection to nature

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words

health of residents

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

Reconciling the earth and the building, for a more sustainable architecture that respects its environment and the living people who practice it.
All over the world, projects using earth material have persisted over the centuries.

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

The main objective was to demonstrate that earth is an aesthetic material and that it participates in the osmosis between nature and the built environment. His presence in the project goes well beyond aesthetics.
Visitors, whether they like the old or the contemporary, agree that they find the project magnificent.

Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context

This prototype is the prototype of a house that could adapt to all types of users: young people, retirees, families with children, people with reduced mobility. It was designed to adapt to its users, and not the other way around. The place of the craftsman who builds is rediscovered. The price per m2 remains under control.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project. Please describe their role and level of involvement.

It is a research and development project carried out by individuals and an architectural agency. The involvement of both parties in taking risks, in the search for solutions, without looking at the hours spent, contributed to the success of this project.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please describe their role and level of involvement. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was

Numerous exchanges have taken place with other companies in Europe and around the world, which are interested in this construction method and the integration of earth in construction. It is these exchanges and this generosity that allowed trust to be established between everyone (client, architectural agency, companies, etc.) and the project to succeed.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was

Architecture
Structural engineering
Climate engineering
Thermal engineering
Materials science
Masonry
Research laboratory

These different representatives interacted with each other in a difficult context (covid), but with the conviction of carrying out a project that makes sense.

Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project

Innovative material, reuse of earth
Bioclimatic design with winds and sun (summer comfort without air conditioning and winter comfort by limiting the use of fossil energy)
Large openings allowing natural light to enter in winter and summer
infrastructure optimization
Interior patio allowing quality natural ventilation
swimming pool allowing adiabatic cooling
Natural and healthy materials
Autonomous sanitation based on phytopurification

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.

1) Observation of the old building
2) Numerous readings of works and translations
3) Exchanges with other countries: England, Spain, Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand, etc. which have been practicing this constructive method for over 40 years or more
4) Design of plans according to the construction technique used
5) Laboratory tests
6) Support for construction companies

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.

Anywhere in the world where there is land.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions

The global challenges are the heaviness of standards which tend to limit the return to constructive common sense, and de facto the return to financially affordable projects.

Please give information on the results, outcomes and impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for. This includes also benefits from the project for direct and indirect beneficiaries

Reconnecting with nature: this project falls completely within the scope of this theme: producing a habitat:
- in connection with the surrounding nature which is omnipresent in the project
- built with the surrounding nature itself
- which fits into the large natural landscape
- which provides winter and summer comfort without air conditioning and with natural light maintained all year round

Nature was the common thread of this project and has always driven my designs.

Please attach at least 6 high resolution images (or other types of visual representations, if images are not possible) to your application.

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