The South Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur 2023 Regional Wood Construction Prize has been awarded to the Tour du Valat (project owner) for its architectural and energy-efficient renovation of the Luc Hoffmann building. Atelier Ostraka refurbished this 672 m2 building without air conditioning.
We share this award with the architect’s office Atelier Ostraka, the thermal design office Robert Celaire, the timber construction companies (Indigo Bâtiment, Pro Natura and les Toits de Camargue) and the joiner Pacapose.
Organised by FIBOIS SUD on 24 May 2023, this awards ceremony was an opportunity to discover some fine projects that showcase wood as a natural resource.
Built in 1954 by André Rivoire, architect, ornithologist and friend of the founder of Tour du Valat, Luc Hoffmann, the building was long called the “Lab” by its occupants and has since been the focus of renovation work in recent years to improve its energy performances.
Since 2010 a large-scale architectural, energy and functional renovation project was undertaken with a focus on energy efficiency. The work involved careful bioclimatic treatment of the structure with an emphasis on bio-sourced and, when possible, local materials such as rice hulls. Thanks to this rehabilitation and the effort of the occupants, energy consumption was divided by 6. Particular attention was given to the comfort in summer with the installation of air movers, tilt and turn windows that allow for natural ventilation at night and numerous sunshades installed on the south and east-facing windows.
The building was inaugurated in October 2021.
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La Palunette is a green meeting room. Designed as an outdoor shelter for meetings, rests and meals, it is delicately placed above a small existing pool using metal crutches screwed into the ground. Located close to the Luc Hoffmann building, it is linked to it by a wooden footbridge that accentuates the island effect set in a rose garden. The building has no glazing, and only mosquito nets give it transparency in this green setting. The reed material used to clad the walls and roof highlights local know-how and the value of an endogenous resource with a very long lifespan, providing, in the opinion of users, an overall comfort that is as delicate as its architecture (extract from the regional awards booklet [1]). |