The HOUSEBOAT® concept or “a land-based port”
The knowledge of construction techniques acquired by Patriarche & Co and its marked interest in environmental architecture gave rise to the original concept of a “land-based port” in which the jetty consists of a compacted embankment on trees cut down and used to construct fascines. The “boats” are metal-framed buildings on piles, “moored” to the jetty by an access walkway. Ten HOUSEBOAT® buildings house cutting edge enterprises and a business incubator, offering a new way of working at one with a magical setting. The water from the roofs returns immediately to the biotope, the leaves of the conserved trees screen the facades surrounded by sheltered access gangways.
FOCUS by Sébastien Clert
The HouseBoat® concept is a construction process specially adapted for land in flood plains. Based on the Genius Loci principle, Jean Loup Patriarche designed, in a site two metres below the flood line, a veritable “land-based port” The lakeside offices, built on piles, are laid out in comb form around the jetty, to which the walkways and access gangways are “moored”. Here the high environmental quality approach is a reality, in which site integration on one hand, and deconstruction and material recycling on the other, have been given priority. For instance the houseboats have a metal frame, very lightweight and easy to dismantle, made from galvanized steel to save weight (essential due to the nature of the terrain) and limit rusting.
In order to reduce energy requirements, local insolation has been put to good use. Glazed bays throughout capture the solar energy in winter and are protected by large roof overhangs giving natural shade in summer, intensified by the trees in the surrounding woods. This structure is protected by canopies and surrounded by gangways, which give better access in the case of occupation by multiple users, ventilate the buildings with their adjustable orientation and preserve the views over the lake and mountain landscape. They also make cleaning and maintenance of the structure easier, particularly the windows.
“As the land is in a flood plain, I wanted to preserve it as it was, to avoid having to fill it and especially to avoid destroying the existing biotope. This gave me the idea of constructing buildings on piles, moored by a walkway to the jetty” explains Jean-Loup Patriarche, architect and director of the firm. “In such a way that if the water in the lake rises, this zone will act as an expansion basin (...). For a project to be relevant, its integration into the landscape is essential, which entails full knowledge of the site ... which is inherent to the architect’s trade. Application of the concept is not limited solely to land at risk of flooding. While dedicated to offices on this site, the concept could be developed and applied in particular to housing. In addition, on ordinary land, the principle of construction on piles allows the creation of parking areas at relatively low cost.
Surface area : 2 752 m²
