with architects, the building world is thinking about building differently

Straw, hemp, cellulose wadding, linen… So many materials that can be used to construct buildings. With two effects in one: “decarbonizing” buildings but also providing opportunities for farmers. The local economic challenge is real. Hubert Rinaldi, farmer, co-founder of Chanvre mellois, will be one of the speakers at a round table open to the general public on October 10, 2024 in Niort. Around the same table: architects, engineers, experts, elected officials, building contractors, agricultural producers. Objective: think about how we could « massifier » the use of these materials.

Materials that are still very marginal? “Poorly known”, prefers to say Virginie Gravière, president of the regional council of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine order of architects.

Called “Architectures & Territories”, the Niortaise meetings are part of a cycle of twenty-six meetings across France at the initiative of the national order of architects in conjunction with the regional councils.

“Provide proof by example”

Hemp will be particularly highlighted on October 10: the plant protects water and catchment sources, and it does not need pesticides. To decarbonize construction, “Solutions exist, supported by architects. On October 10, we want to provide proof by example, with concrete cases”explains Virginie Gravière.

But if we want to move to another scale, we must hold all the links in the chain. Including public procurement. Virginie Gravière intends to encourage a virtuous circle: “ For companies to train in these new materials, public procurement must be up to the task. And that agricultural production is there. »

The order of architects, to move the lines, published a “plea” of around ten pages to change the model. Among the watchwords: succeed in practicing an “architecture of 100 kilometers”, drawing resources and skills from this geographical radius around a project. According to a new situation: stop the construction of shopping centers outside cities, protect agricultural land, build on urban wasteland.

“Architectures and territories”, Thursday October 10 from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Pierre-Moinot media library in Niort. Open to the public.