Benjamin Bourdiol is the new Architect of France’s buildings in Orne: what is his role?

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Since the month of June 2024Benjamin Bourdiol is the Architect of Buildings of France (ABF) in Orne. The role of a ABF revolves around three main axes : “the conservation of historic monuments”, “expertise in protected areas” and “advice, to individuals and local authorities, in matters of architecture, town planning or landscape”, summarizes Benjamin Bourdiol, the new guardian of Ornais heritage.

He must therefore to accompany et promote quality architecture and urbanization which must integrate harmoniously into the living environment.

Keep

The Architects of Buildings of France are the preservatives historical monuments of the territory and therefore participate in monitoring the health state of its historic monuments. Orne takes into account 400dont a third East class et two thirds are registered. The city from Alençon for example account 31 historical monuments and its old historic center has been classified as a remarkable heritage site since July 2021.

In addition to monitoring the maintenance of buildings, Udap provides “scientific and technical control” for any renovation which most often requires particular technical expertise. “He makes his knowledge available from the submission of the project until the reception of the work”, summarizes the new ABF of Orne.

Control

The ABF is, on behalf of the State, the supreme representative of the department’s protected areas. It ensures both the controlthe preservation and the enhancement by fully participating in the examination of development or work projects located near a historic monument or in a protected site, “i.e. within a radius of 500 m”, specifies Benjamin Bourdiol.

These projects which may impact a protected urban or natural landscape “are subject to a compliant opinion” from the ABF on land use authorization requests (building permit, development permit, demolition permit and prior declaration of works) . Most of the time, the administrative authority competent to issue the authorization is required to respect this opinion.

The objective is, beyond respecting the typology of the building, “to also preserve the living environment”. As such, the ABF is always contacted when a project linked to the ecological transition appears (wind power, photovoltaics, etc.)

This is why Benjamin Bourdiol invites all those carrying out renovation projects to find out about nearby protected spaces and to “come and see us in advance”.

Advise

The ABF is l’expert local in terms of architectural quality et landscape. As such, it is consulted by all local authorities to participate in the quality of urban or rural development projects as well as in the general policy of the city, ensuring “sustainable management” of these projects.

It thus participates in the development of territorial coherence plans (SCoT), this long-term planning tool (around 20 years) serving as a reference framework for the various policies (urban planning, housing, mobility, shops, environment) and anticipating the consequences of climate change, or local intercommunal town planning plans (PLUi), this document which sets the rules for land development and use.

L’ABF raise awareness et advises therefore project owners upstream of the development of these documents to promote the development of territories, but also enlightens public or private project owners on concerns in terms of architecture, town planning and landscape. “It is a mission of public interest for architecture,” summarizes Benjamin Bourdiol.

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