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Eco-construction in parks: the Baronnies Provençales innovate with lavender straw
- Date :
- 13/08/2010
- Keywords :
- Climate Change Climate Eco-construction Ecology France Natural Resources Sustainable tourism
An original experiment
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The Baronnies Provençales/France (Pnr) , situated in the French Pre-Alps between Drôme and Hautes-Alpes, is in the process of being created: the project concerns 39,000 inhabitants and covers 130 communes (about 220,000 ha). The Pnr project leaders are already convinced that eco-construction is an economic and ecological stake in the park’s future; they are supporting an original local initiative: a prototype of a modular bioclimatic house, particularly adapted to tourist accommodation. This passive building (15kw/m²/year) is made up of a wood structure kit insulated with lavender straw, a natural local material. It can be assembled by a builder or be self built. The 100 000 tonnes of lavender straw grown in the area thus open wide perspectives! |
- See the house being assembled on video on this link
A challenge for the protected areas
The inhabited protected areas have a duty to be model territories, places of experimentation and environmental excellence. In a context of climate change and growing shortages of resources, ecological energy-efficient building is becoming a stake of the highest importance.
Many new initiatives are being taken, notably in the Alps: the CIPRA is drawing up an inventory of different initiatives and has, for example, organised a study trip on this theme with ALPARC.
For the Baronnies Provençales park project, what needs to be done is “to promote a contemporary type of architecture and construction that is energy-efficient, accessible and good quality, one that fits in with the landscape and patrimonial heritage, by mobilising local skills and materials.” Its President, Hervé Rasclard, has said that present-day demand is about methods, products and skills, and it is indeed the role of parks to reveal innovative initiatives such as the one presented here, and to encourage the emergence and development of local activities and companies.
This is an example worth following and a subject being looked into by the ALPARC “Traditional Know-How and Ecological Constructions in the Protected Areas ” working group.
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Article based on a communiqué of the concerned parties of the Baronnies Provençales
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