the essential
“New life of buildings and new practice of architecture”: this is the mantra of the ninth edition of the National Architecture Days which will be held from Friday October 18 to Sunday October 20. The Lot participates in it.
“The National Architecture Days aim to develop the architectural knowledge of the general public. They propose to reveal the riches of remarkable contemporary architecture wherever it is found and to tell the history of the buildings that surround us,” we can read on the organization’s website, Journeesarchitecture.culture.gouv.fr /, which lists all the events that will mark these three days of discovery from October 18 to 20. In the Lot, several meetings are scheduled.
A new ecological house to visit for free
Led by the Lot Architects Union, these events will be mainly concentrated in the north of the department. In Cuzance, near Cressensac, architect Olivier Delbos opens his workshop called “Entre Villes et Campagnes” to the public. The opportunity for visitors to “discover current projects and past achievements”. Meet on Saturday October 19, between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. For his part, Julien Dumolard, co-president of the union, offers a visit to one of his latest creations: a contemporary, ecological and bioclimatic house also located, in Cuzance. “We launched the project in spring 2021 for delivery at the end of summer 2023. It is a wooden frame house using recyclable materials such as cork or cellulose wadding. It has a lot of natural light, in all the rooms made up of beautiful volumes,” confides the architect who operates between Martel and Toulouse.
“I specialize in this type of achievement that respects the environment. I also do a lot of traditional building renovations. They are two totally different things,” confides the professional, who first worked in Paris since 2006 before settling in the Lot, for personal comfort. Three visiting sessions are planned (only upon prior registration at [email protected]): Friday October 18, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday October 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Lot, a paradise for architects?
Affordable building land, a rich historical building to renovate… At first glance, one might believe that our territory constitutes a fantastic playground for the Lot Architects Union, which has around sixty active members. “In theory, yes. But, in practice, the conditions for exercising the profession are increasingly complicated for us,” laments Julien Dumolard, who deplores in particular the “French exception” which allows construction without an architect when the surface area is less than 150 m2 .
“However, most people are unaware that the remuneration of an architect on a construction site is often much lower than that of a residential developer,” he adds, also saying he is opposed to this construction model: “The isolated pavilion in the middle of land, with swimming pool, it is an outdated model. In general, new construction has a strong impact on the territory. I always try to suggest to my clients that they favor renovations and rehabilitations.” In any case, the Lot architect strongly hopes that these National Days will make it possible to develop architectural culture within the population, a discipline “difficult to transmit” to individuals and professionals.
A unique visit to the Atelier Jean Lurçat
Another place, well known to Lotois: the Atelier-musée Jean Lurçat, which organizes an architectural tour of its premises, located in a listed castle which dominates the town of Saint-Laurent-les-Tours. The traditional visit will be enhanced by a completely new detour through the first floor workshop, usually closed to the public: “The studio of an artist always sheds intimate light on the creations designed there, that of Jean Lurçat the proves in an exemplary manner,” we can read on the organization’s website. See you this Friday, October 18, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit included in the museum entry price (full price €4, reduced price €2, free under 26s). Registration required on 05 82 11 04 56.
