the Hemon workshop, a family and architectural story that has been building for 50 years

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The quays of Trouville, the bakery The Factory in Honfleur, the hotel-restaurant The Liner in Villerville, Claude Lelouch's future cinema-bistro in Trouville-sur-Mer or even multiple anonymous wooden frame buildings. : behind all these places, or these projects, lies a Norman architect's workshop shaped by the Hemon family dont know-how and expertise are transmitted from generation to generation since now 50 ans. “For three generations, we have perpetuated a vision : design buildings that integrate into their environment while enriching it, summarizes Lucas Hemon, currently associated with his father Emmanuel at the head of the family business based in Saint-Gatien-des-Bois (Calvados). It is a beautiful legacy that my father and grandfather passed on to me, and that I wish to develop to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

Solid foundations

The Hemon adventure began with the grandfather, Henriwho learned architecture at Canada. A whole range of know-how that he took with him, in his suitcases. On his return to Normandiehe worked alongside the architect Antoine Berge, notably for Mont Canisy, before create the family company in 1974, first to Fourneville where he built his house and his first workshop.

The years go by and, today, Lucas is associated with his father's side, Emmanuel. “I’ve had it in my veins since I was born,” admits Lucas who, like his father, has not escaped the architecture virus.

It came completely naturally. When I was born, my parents had just bought their house in Saint-Gatien-des-Bois and they redid everything themselves, so I was born into construction, like my father before me. When I was a child, I spent my life making models and cabins and when it rained, I went to the office to draw with my grandfather and my father. When I had nothing to do, I went to monitor the site with them.

Years spent alongside those who taught him everything. “I absorbed a lot of reflexes and of knowledge which today allow me to go faster,” recognizes Lucas.

Wood as a real specialty

“My grandfather believed that architecture should above all respond to the needs of its users while providing meaningful spaces. This conviction, which has spanned five decades, remains our guiding principle,” insists Lucas. Thus, for 50 years, the Hemon workshop builds and renovates between Honfleur, Deauville, Pont-l'Évêque and Blangy-le-Château mainly, within a 30 km radius around Saint-Gatien. “With the exception of a few projects elsewhere in France, like the one my father has been leading for 15 years for the construction of a half-timbered monastery in Dordogne. It’s a project made entirely of oak, magnificent,” comments Lucas, who also gives the example of a project to create a medico-social establishment for people with autism spectrum disorders in Mennecy, in Essonne.

Hemon architects also work for individuals for renovation of old buildings and new constructiononly for professionals such as hotels, restaurants, boutiques and spas, but also communesparticularly for the energy renovation of buildings. “For example, at the moment we are taking care of the Quetteville school where we are carrying out an energy renovation using wood wool and wood cladding.”

The boisin fact, is one of the great specialties of this small family business. And this, since the beginnings of the Hemon workshop.

It's our trade, and it's directly linked to learning architecture from my grandfather in Canada. We haven't been making wood for five years, but always. We have increased knowledge in this area and that's good because it's the future and it's what we like to do.

And aspect durable essential in the eyes of both partners, on which emphasis is placed in each project. “There are a lot of things that are developing regarding the bio-based materialswe are very interested in all that, continues Lucas. We favor the natural and local materials such as wood, straw, hemp and earth, but also solutions integrating reuse and short circuits to truly design places that respect resources and people.” In short, an architecture that the workshop team wants most durable possible. “From the selection of materials to energy optimization, each step is designed to limit our environmental footprint.”

At the bedside of heritage and old buildings

One of the other specialties of this architectural workshop is the rehabilitation and renovation of old buildingsparticularly energy, for example religious or cultural heritage. “For example, we restored the church of Tourgévillethere we will take care of the town hall of Tourgéville, but also the Chapel of the Old Town or even a dovecote at Faulq. We have a diversity of projects which is immense,” insists Lucas, mentioning for example Claude Lelouch’s cinema-bistro project in Trouville on which the workshop is working.

With know-how and expertise that are passed down from generation to generation, the Hemon workshop continues to attract individuals, professionals and communities, while expanding its family. “In recent years, we have gone from 5 to 12 in the team,” smiles Lucas, who recognizes several factors in this great activity: the health crisis, better visibility on building permit panels, but also better communication on social networks. “And always a lot of word of mouth,” he adds. Of the solid and durable foundations for a workshop which, over the decades, has managed to merge tradition and innovation.

Hemon Architectes, 49 bis Rue des Brioleurs, in Saint-Gatien-des-Bois. More information on: www.hemon-architectes.com, 02 31 89 18 27 or [email protected].

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