Wooden structures and development

STRUCTURAL MATERIALS OF HIGH PERFORMANCE
Long, wooden architecture was limited by the lengths of solid wood beams. Date revolution of the 60s, with the advent of new materials from progress in the technology of adhesives.

Both technical and ecological

Manufacturers today have a wide range of composite materials and laminated bonded high performance as resistance range :

Three buildings in flood

The achievements of the architect Thierry Dujardin is part of a sustainable development strategy. This is why it is heavily wood in all its projects. He wants to know the architecture wood , even on land where we do not expect ... such as the floodplains . It thus proves, if necessary, that the wood fits all situations .

The challenges faced by these three constructions
The house edge of the Marne
The use of wood for construction at the edge of a river is possible.Proof is this wood frame house siding and Cedar , which complies with the rules of construction in flood described in the local plan.

The architectural firm in floodplain
The architectural firm "Plural Functions" in which works Dujardin is built in a flood zone. Its construction in 1995, has also been interrupted by rising waters. It presents a crawl brick , closed by a tile client and the height (about one-step) is set by the flood line.Above the base of the building and the wooden structure and host the main offices of the firm.

The house on the shores of Morin
This house construction Couilly Pont aux Dames sits on the edge of a river, the Morin. Placed on a crawlspace to raise it, its structure is made of poles beams and filled with sandwich panels containing insulating complex . Thus isolation is performed directly inside the walls of the house. To heat it, it is planned to install a wood stove inertia, allowing for several hours.
In what areas can be built close to the water?
For new buildings, the issuance of a building permit is made based on the level of risk.
There are three zones:

1. Red Zone
This zone is subject to the vagaries of the strongest: no building permit is issued.
2. Blue Zone
This zone is subject to the vagaries means: the building permit with conditions.
3. White area
This area is deemed safe. The building permit is subject to the rules of the local plan and, if applicable, the plan for the prevention of risks in force in the town.
The classification depends on the flood hazards.Depending on the case, the building permit may be impossible to obtain or subject to conditions
Questions to the architect

The choice of wood: evidence for you?
There are many reasons for me to choose the wood. First, because it is an easy material to work, turn and low energy . Second, because in my opinion, it perfectly meets the needs of individual buildings and small collectives. It is also very versatile and offers arich architectural unparalleled.

The sustainable development is only one strategy for you?
Obtain certification type 14000 is not a goal in itself for us. In contrast to the standards applicable to the well-being of our customers is one of our priorities ! Our strategy of sustainable development is on two axes: the health of people by being attentive to the materials used and the protection of the environment by using wood for carbon sequestration and because it is a renewable resource.

The hardest part of these achievements?
Requires an understanding of wood construction for implementation to be successful, because it requires a lot ofprecision .

Your customers have special requirements?
Customers come to us first because they know that we are working with wood , even on land "difficult" . Then, some wish to benefit from clean energy that we now use. For example, we will install photovoltaic panels to produce electricity and solar panels for hot water on one of our projects.

What about costs?
We must think in overall cost and take into account the energy savings generated by this type of construction, which in the long run, prove compelling.

An Ecological Wooden House in the Landes

The house is naturally integrated into the surrounding space.

A Mount Saint Pierre (40), family Marot built his wooden house in a forest environment.

Technical
Location: St. Pierre du Mont, Landes (40280)
House area: 190 m²
Land area: 1500 m²
Year of construction: March 2009
Woods used: pine frame, Siberian larch cladding

MEET THE OWNERS
Marot family: a wooden house, absolutely
"Our future home should be able to answer many ecological and economic criteria, and provide a perfect balance between simplicity and contemporary architecture."

The birth of a project

The meeting with the builder
Much reflection and exploration allowed us to become aware of what was on the market for wooden houses. We wanted to be sure to achieve a project for our needs perfectly . And once the land is purchased, exchanges with architects (Vincent Poeymiroo Cazaentre and Jonathan) were essential. They helped our project to mature day by day.

We had an idea of what we wanted: a house on nature , with a south facade overlooking the woods. And the project has kept its promises, our house is bright, with a large living area .

Why choose wood?
My husband exercising a liberal profession, he was taken to build a cabinet, and the choice of material was covered timber. This project had rained, and we decided to contact the same architect to build our future wooden house. The look nice and natural look of the wood we were particularly impressed.

Our house is located in the Landes, we could benefit from a wide choice of local species . And this is the larch , blond wood and clear, which eventually caught our attention. Its aesthetic appearance and warm it releases us charmed. The application of a stain (colorless lacquer) seemed necessary to preserve its original colors.

Construction steps

We bought the land in December 2007 and building permits filed in April 2008. Work began on 18 August 2008 and ended in March 2009. The speed of construction was impressive ! In the space of only fifteen days , home, arriving in panels was mounted. Every day, fetching children to school, I passed the site and I noticed that more piece was constructed.

The architect in charge of the project has been working in partnership with Finnish craftsmen . In particular, we used a carpenter . Excellent communication is established between the various trades has been a key to the success of this project.

teams were present on site from Monday to Friday, with meetings every Wednesday morning, led by the foremen. It was obviously essential for us to be there.

Despite the damage the storm Klaus, workers normally pursued the construction of the wooden house, well advanced at the time of weathering.

Each day, the house had an extra.

Guided tour of the house

The living room has an optimal lighting.

The large bay window offers a view on the comfortable terrace.

Vertical siding product nice lighting effects in every room of the house.

The terrace is a transitional space between inside and outside the home.

Vertical siding provides a slender appearance to the house.

Once the house is completed

Your favorite piece?
We especially appreciate our living room , a true multi-function room with a dining area, a lounge and a library.

Do you have any construction projects in the short term?
We plan to install a pool in the coming years, in line with the terrace on the south side. And we intend to use the geothermal energy for heating water to make it possible to swim throughout the year.

We also plan to install a central fireplace , within a year or two.

The vegetation of the roof could be a further step in improving our home. We have not yet done so for economic reasons. This method is to superimpose a foam and succulents same to the roof. This technique, aesthetics , provides natural insulation. We do not want air conditioning, because we want to preserve the ecological nature of our house.

A tip for future owners?
We advise prospective owners to consider carefully the proposed construction of their home. Be accompanied by professional wood construction remains the best option . It is also important and useful to participate in meetings held by foremen in the construction. From beginning to end, it is imperative to establish a climate of trust with the architect, for the smooth construction.

What is Feng Shui for House?

What is Feng Shui for House is always be question for the who want to build new house, Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of balancing the flow of natural energies in our environment to create beneficial results in our lives. But don’t think of it as just ancient local wisdom; think of it as universal common sense. The thoughtful and purposeful placement of things in relation to other things around them creates positive or negative energy flow. The changes you make within your own home or office have a direct impact on the flow of things in areas of your life.

Dispelling the Myth
For any of you who may not yet be familiar with Feng Shui, it is not a religion. There are several different styles of Feng Shui. It is not hocus-pocus of any sort and it is not just for those woo-woo ladies in a moo-moo peddling trinkets to clutter up your space. Feng Shui is simply working with natural energy by placing everything from your furniture, accessories, desktop items and even your home itself purposefully within its environment to work harmoniously with everything else around it.

How Can Feng Shui Help You?
In today’s turbulent real estate market, Feng Shui can help create more opportunities, introduce the right people into your life to help you, give you greater wisdom to handle situations that arise, improve your reputation, and help create a greater feeling of abundance. Seems like a lot to expect from just changing the way things are arranged, huh? Well rest assured, the energy you spend making these changes will reap you great rewards.

So let’s get right down to it, the fun part! What changes can you make in your home and office to improve your real estate business?

• Eliminate Clutter – I know, I already talked about that in an earlier post, but it is such a serious issue on so many levels, and, in Feng Shui, clutter is stagnant energy. It is blocked chi. it is restricted flow. It is heavy, depressing and it weighs you down. It can result in health issues depending upon its severity. Eliminating clutter = new opportunities. Simple as that. Open the pathways and allow new things to come to into your life. Out with the old and in with the new!

• Spruce up the Helpful People section of your home. Did you know that your home has 9 different sectors representing different areas of your life? The Helpful People area of your home is the far right front area as you stand at the front door. In real estate, you depend upon many people to have your business flow well. To attract the best people to do business with, give some love to your Helpful People section and then be on the lookout for the people that come into your life. Place a silver container in this area of your home. Write down the names of people who can help you and place them in the box. Perhaps you have an offer out and are waiting for an answer. Write the seller’s name down with the intention of hearing back that your buyer’s offer has been accepted. Waiting on an appraisal? Write down the appraiser’s name and place it in the box. Need a sitter so you can show more homes? Write down “perfect Nanny for my children”. You get the idea. Then just let it go. Check the box every couple of weeks. When you no longer need their assistance, remove their names and add another.

• The Skills and Knowledge area of your home is the section on the far left front, closest to the front door. Spruce up this area and you will find yourself able to make better decisions, have better relationships, handle your business and money matters more wisely and find your inner strength. This is a great place for your books or things that remind you of wisdom, symbols of mentors or symbols of the skills you want to have.

• Fire up your Fame and Reputation area located in the rear center of your home. Want to be the top agent in your area? This is a great area for your fireplace. No fireplace here? How about your TV? TV’s are fire elements in Feng Shui. This is also a great area for any awards you have received. The color red is a great fire color, so if it works in your decor, add some splashes of red here to activate this area.

• Build up the Family area of your home, located in the left center section when you are like most people and are striving for an overall greater sense of abundance and well being. Enhancing the energy here will give you a greater sense of security in all areas of your life and improve your relationships. This is a great area for plants and wooden items. Water feeds wood, so symbols of water work well here too.

• Power up Prosperity Corner! This seems to be everybody’s favorite part of Feng Shui. The Prosperity section is located in the far left rear section of your home or office. Keep this space clean, well-lit and be sure there is plenty of activity here. Add symbols that remind you of wealth and abundance. You can use artwork or photos or even perfumes, whatever works for you. Be sure there is nothing broken here. Purple, red and gold are great colors to activate your Prosperity section. If this is where your bedroom is located, no problem, just keep the blinds open during the day and add a few power elements. Fresh flowers are perfect here and depending upon the situation, a water feature can be a great addition.

Just by making a few changes you will start to see results. Make big changes and you will see big results-but watch out. Sometimes big changes can makes things happen faster than you might have planned for. Just keep a clear vision of your goals and when the dust settles, it will be that much clearer.

A Spirit House Feng Shui

A Spirit House Feng Shui in this article about the happy house owner in the Yvelines at the edge of a forest, lies an imposing building of 300 sqm, all dressed in wood and respecting the principles of Feng Shui. Built on a plot of 3000 m² in height, it has a splendid view of the surroundings. Visit with Laurence Dujardin, the happy owner.

Technical
Location: Yvelines
House area: 300 m²
Land area: 3000 m²
Year of construction: 2006
Used wood: cedar cladding, pergola larch

PORTRAIT OF THE OWNER
Laurence Dujardin
"For seven years, my daily life was punctuated by trips ... I discovered Feng Shui. Meanwhile, I began my quest for the perfect terrain to build the house of my dreams!"

To learn more about Feng Shui, I invite you to read my book "Create or upgrade your home Feng Shui" editions E-Book.

The birth of a project
Why choose wood?
"This is an idea that comes from me! Firstly, for a matter of aesthetics . Moreover, wood symbolizes creativity, dynamism and freedom in Feng Shui. then I went on various shows for two years. I discovered that there were extraordinary techniques to achieve a green home . regard to the wood used, I especially selected red cedar siding because it gray with age and I think it's beautiful. "

The early work?
"Everything is chained fast ! In May 2005, I found the appropriate field. A building permit was filed in mid October, and construction began in early 2006. walls were made in a factory and assembled on site, few weeks . "

Collaboration with the architect?
"I knew exactly what my house would look even before you call an architect. Example, the presence of a patio, windows, roof low, Asian-style windows etc.. I wanted a house inspired the Anglo-Saxon architecture and respecting the principles of Feng Shui . architect Marc has Lafagne transcribe everything I could have imagined. "

Your personal investment?
"I spent 95% of my time on the site . I almost completed the work of a master builder. I also sanded, made paintings, porcelain parquet ... It was a real investment staff ! "

Once the house is finished ...

Your favorite piece?
"I love all the pieces ... but the show is a very nice living space with amazing views. Portholes allow to soften the Yang side of the house. Indeed, the square symbolizes masculinity. And all these forms round the windows but also the posts allow a balance between Yin and Yang . "

What is that you would change in retrospect?
"Absolutely nothing I've done this work before everything is exactly as I had imagined! Except one thing: I would like closer to the concept of passive house . We did not immediately fault of money, but we plan to install solar panels in the near future. "

A tip for future owners?
"To learn about entrepreneurs ! In this house, a contractor advised us a new German process ... But in this case the person had never asked this type of wall. It was quickly overtaken by events and walls of the house were not all rights-of-fact. Fortunately, thereafter, we were dealing with a true professional ! "

Another Great Articles about Feng Shui
Feng Shui Tips for Building a New House
by Carol C. Wheelock

That is a huge question because there is so much to consider!! I will address some of the most important ones here.

First of all, consider the site. Does the house fit the site well? Can it be situated so that it is open in front? It is important to have some protection in back and on the sides, preferably with the land in back higher than the land in front. The idea is to feel as though you are in a big armchair.

Water is best in front of the house. This goes along with the land sloping gently down in front of the house. Water rushing right toward the house would not be positive.

Be sure your entrance will be clearly seen as you approach the house. What you first see most affects your chi! In order for a house to be welcoming, it is important that the way into the house is obvious. A defined meandering path should lead the eye and people to your front door. Also consider whether or not the house is designed so that you will use the front door. It is the mouth of chi, so it is important for you, the homeowners, to use that door. Too often, houses are designed so that the people who live in the house never use the front door.

I like to look at the shape of the house, including attached garages, decks, etc. A house does not have to be square or rectangular, but it is important to get a sense of a complete shape after landscaping is done. The more complete the shape, the more supportive the space will be.
Next consider the ceiling height. Ceilings that are too high make a space feel too yang, whereas ceilings that are too low can make a space feel too yin and confining. Beams are also a factor. If you are building a house with beams, it is best to have them a little higher than a normal ceiling so they will not impact the chi of the space as much.

Avoid the rushing chi of long straight hallways, front doors opposite back doors, and stairs opposite front doors. In these situations, the chi will rush right through the space and not stop to nourish those who live there.

Figure out where the furniture will go. Be sure that the beds, couch, desk, and stove are all in the command position. That means that when you are in/at any of these pieces of furniture you can see (are facing) the door, but are not in direct line with it. Many stoves in new houses have microwaves above them that serve as mirrors so that it is possible to see behind you as you cook. This compensates for not having the stove face the door.

Plan open spaces so that there is a way to define different areas. Also be clear about what each room is for. This does not mean that a room cannot serve dual purposes. It does mean that it is important to be clear about what those purposes are and that they are compatible. Take a mental walk through the space and check for flow of movement. Too many doors in one area can create a lot of arguments. Are there sharp corners? Is it easy to get one from one place to another?

Storage is extremely important. Plan for useful and accessible storage that is in keeping with the number of people who will be living in the house. Do not, however, take anything with you to the new house that you do not love or use. This is the perfect time to start clearing out the clutter in your existing space.

Carol C. Wheelock, M.Ed. of Feng Shui Vermont is a certified feng shui practitioner who has studied in the United Sates and China. She practices Black Sect or western feng shui. Carol does private consultations for homes, schools, libraries, and businesses; clutter counseling and clearing; spaces clearings; phone consultations; presentations; and teaches workshops throughout the United States. She also does personal clearings.