By the way, even before construction began, the southwest side of the site was ennobled with modern landscaping. An orchard was planted to protect the home from seasonal westerly winds. The eastern side of the site sheltered a small vegetable garden, and immediately in front of the future construction site was built a specialized pond-bathing, which uses natural non-chlorinated water.
This technology of creating an artificial and environmentally friendly decorative pond, which is gaining more and more fans, based on special proprietary filter equipment. Just by the presence of filters visually you can easily distinguish such a pool from the chlorinated.
The professional landscaping of this naturalistic swimming pool was carried out by selective placement of shrubbery as well as artistic equipment of an original “stone garden” made of local oil shale, which was quite successful.
So, the typical single-story family home of the south of France was built on the northwestern tip of the property. Construction material consisting of cinder block, wood and a 120 mm Rockwool insulation layer, with excellent thermal insulation qualities, and is characterized by the fact that it is fundamentally non-combustible. The structure of the building is adapted to the natural environment, adapted to the climate.
By using a layer of thermal insulation, an energy-saving envelope has been created that makes the most of the climatic potential, minimizing heat loss. Such a building can cool the air in summer without air conditioning and prevent heat loss in winter.
For heating the house was used popular today “green technology”, which uses geothermal pumps. It is defined by the well-known geological principle of the soil to keep a stable temperature at a depth of about 20 meters.
Specially for this technology were developed geothermal pumps, working on the principle of determining the difference between the surface temperature and the temperature at the bottom of a specially drilled well. This temperature difference is multiplied by a pumping device and then heats the house. And so effectively, that provides a moderate band home to 85 – 90 percent of the necessary thermal energy.
Imagine such a device in the southern resort area of France. It will not require the installation of other heating devices at all! To the left of the entrance is an interesting greenhouse for exotic plants with sliding wooden shutters. In summer, the blinds are open and the air, rustling the leaves of the plants, freely through the greenhouse airs the house.
On the opposite side of the house is a naturalistic pavilion with a thatched roof, picturesquely intertwined with the blooming wisteria, a favorite of landscape designers.
Architect Patrice BIDEAU.
Photos by Armel ISTIN.
This house seems truly impressive and enviable, catching the attention of everyone in the neighborhood. I’m curious about the concept of an economical bioclimatic house. How does it work? Is it purely focused on energy efficiency or are there other sustainable elements incorporated as well? Additionally, I’d love to know if this innovative project has had any positive impact on the local community or if it has inspired similar initiatives in the area.