Renovating
5 Building Practices to Steal From the French
When it comes to building design and techniques, no two countries are the same. Let's see how those of France and Australia differ
As a French native living in Australia, I always find it interesting to compare my two countries. It’s not so much about which one ranks higher than the other (no country is perfect!), but more how differently things are done in each country, and what each could learn about the standards and practices of the other. Today I explore five things the French do when they build that could be worth considering in Australia.
When external shutters are not an option due to the building configuration, shutters are fitted inside. Their insulation properties are lessened slightly, but they are equally good for security and can look quite charming too.
Shutters work well in more contemporary styles as well. While roller shutters do exist in France, they are not the only option. With a little bit of creativity, you can come up with streamlined designs that blend in well with your house.
Authentic French-style advice direct from France
Authentic French-style advice direct from France
2. Be efficient
In the recent years, France has been showing a strong interest in sustainable practices, and this is as true in the construction industry as it is in other areas. If you wish to build a house today in France, it must first to go through a thorough diagnostic of its future energy value.
This includes not only evaluating conventional energy consumption, which is the equivalent of the Australian star rating system (how much energy in KWh per square metre will be used per annum), but also evaluating how much greenhouse gas is likely to be emitted, and what the annual energy-related costs will be. Any house that doesn’t meet or exceed the minimum standards is classified unfit for construction.
In the recent years, France has been showing a strong interest in sustainable practices, and this is as true in the construction industry as it is in other areas. If you wish to build a house today in France, it must first to go through a thorough diagnostic of its future energy value.
This includes not only evaluating conventional energy consumption, which is the equivalent of the Australian star rating system (how much energy in KWh per square metre will be used per annum), but also evaluating how much greenhouse gas is likely to be emitted, and what the annual energy-related costs will be. Any house that doesn’t meet or exceed the minimum standards is classified unfit for construction.
It’s also important to note that, when selling, French homes have to go through a large number of diagnostics (including energy ratings) which must be disclosed before the house sells, or the sale will be invalid. So you’d better make sure that your builder is not bypassing any standards or you will be in for serious issues down the track.
As a result of such regulations, proper insulation is a pre-requisite for any new French building. This includes high-quality roof, cavity and underfloor insulation. Double-glazing and central heating have also become standards in new French homes.
3. Don’t overstretch yourself
Building homes that are only as big as you need is certainly not a uniquely French approach, but it is widespread over there, and is not as common as it should be in Australia, where big homes, huge mortgages and the related financial stress they represent are very common.
Many people I encounter here –through my work as an interior designer and also within my personal network – tend to want the best of everything when they build, and to expect that the house will be totally finished at handover time, with nothing else to do. This is often regardless of the limitations of their actual budget.
In France – probably because banks are very reluctant to lend money and the economy has been struggling for decades – there is a big focus on ‘doing it for less’. Allowing for time, making executive decisions and thinking outside the box are often the way to go.
Building homes that are only as big as you need is certainly not a uniquely French approach, but it is widespread over there, and is not as common as it should be in Australia, where big homes, huge mortgages and the related financial stress they represent are very common.
Many people I encounter here –through my work as an interior designer and also within my personal network – tend to want the best of everything when they build, and to expect that the house will be totally finished at handover time, with nothing else to do. This is often regardless of the limitations of their actual budget.
In France – probably because banks are very reluctant to lend money and the economy has been struggling for decades – there is a big focus on ‘doing it for less’. Allowing for time, making executive decisions and thinking outside the box are often the way to go.
Overall, I notice that French people tend to have less prejudices about their homes than Aussies.
They don’t mind opting for a compact footprint as long as it is adequate, and they will consider any material as long as it fits their budget, style and lifestyle. Good quality vinyl floors, as an example, are commonly used as a great-looking, practical, cost-effective alternative to floorboards, polished concrete or encaustic tiles. And, unless the house is in the very high-end spectrum of the market, will not cause the house to lose value.
12 essential ingredients for a French provincial kitchen
They don’t mind opting for a compact footprint as long as it is adequate, and they will consider any material as long as it fits their budget, style and lifestyle. Good quality vinyl floors, as an example, are commonly used as a great-looking, practical, cost-effective alternative to floorboards, polished concrete or encaustic tiles. And, unless the house is in the very high-end spectrum of the market, will not cause the house to lose value.
12 essential ingredients for a French provincial kitchen
So maybe, before committing to building a home, think twice about what you really need versus what you can afford. Does it really have to have four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a theatre, games room, open-plan living and alfresco area if you’re a family of three? Is having engineered stone benchtops in your flatpack kitchen really necessary? The decisions you make during the ‘building fever’ stage and the money layout they involve will be with you for a long time. Don’t rush them.
4. Forget the castle dream
France is a densely populated country with 121 people per square kilometre; to put things into perspective, Australia has three people per square metre. As a result and not surprisingly, space and privacy are at a premium over there. While many people live in apartments or townhouses throughout the country, the lucky ones who have land are not able to build whatever house they want on it.
France is a densely populated country with 121 people per square kilometre; to put things into perspective, Australia has three people per square metre. As a result and not surprisingly, space and privacy are at a premium over there. While many people live in apartments or townhouses throughout the country, the lucky ones who have land are not able to build whatever house they want on it.
In fact, when you purchase land in France, the council often restricts the size of the house you can build on it. The idea is that no house should be too large for the block of land it sits on. Building a 220 square metre house on a 350 square metre block (which is standard practice in Australian cities) would in most instances not be allowed in France, as it would impact on the neighbours’ privacy.
There are very strict rules about how close you can build to your neighbour’s property, how close your windows can be and how high your house can be without compromising yours or your neighbour’s lifestyle. Generally speaking, there should be a decent space around the property for more ‘sustainable’ living. While these rules exist in Australia too, the restrictions are tighter in France.
Former Parisian office space reworked as urban sanctuary
There are very strict rules about how close you can build to your neighbour’s property, how close your windows can be and how high your house can be without compromising yours or your neighbour’s lifestyle. Generally speaking, there should be a decent space around the property for more ‘sustainable’ living. While these rules exist in Australia too, the restrictions are tighter in France.
Former Parisian office space reworked as urban sanctuary
5. For the sake of harmony
If you think you are only limited to size when it comes to restrictions, think again. Many French councils will also limit you in the style, colours and materials you can use to build your dream home.
In France, traditional architectural styles differ a lot from one region to another – most of them can be explained due to geographical or meteorological reasons. In cooler regions, as an example, the shape of the roof has to be able to handle heavy downfalls of snow, so the weight of snow doesn’t compromise the integrity of the build. Often the materials used are local: limestone in Provence, timber in the Alps, and pink granite in Brittany, for example.
If you think you are only limited to size when it comes to restrictions, think again. Many French councils will also limit you in the style, colours and materials you can use to build your dream home.
In France, traditional architectural styles differ a lot from one region to another – most of them can be explained due to geographical or meteorological reasons. In cooler regions, as an example, the shape of the roof has to be able to handle heavy downfalls of snow, so the weight of snow doesn’t compromise the integrity of the build. Often the materials used are local: limestone in Provence, timber in the Alps, and pink granite in Brittany, for example.
But what about new homes? Do they have to look exactly like their traditional counterparts? No. However, many councils will look at the overall attractiveness of their precinct and have laws about what you can build, so your house doesn’t look out of place with the other homes or the environment around it.
I must admit that I’m personally sitting a bit on the fence with this one. While I understand the benefits of a cohesive environment, this regulation can sometimes lead to a cookie-cutter look that kills creativity and design innovation.
I must admit that I’m personally sitting a bit on the fence with this one. While I understand the benefits of a cohesive environment, this regulation can sometimes lead to a cookie-cutter look that kills creativity and design innovation.
TELL US
What do you think about the French approach to building? Would you incorporate some of these ideas into your own home building? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Take a look at how people are making the most of smaller spaces
What do you think about the French approach to building? Would you incorporate some of these ideas into your own home building? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Take a look at how people are making the most of smaller spaces
Shutters have been used throughout France for centuries. While they often give additional balance for the external aspect of the building, their goal is primarily functional: they filter light and heat during hot summer days (which helps keep the house cool without the need for air conditioning), and keep the cold outside in winter or at night. They also offer privacy and enhanced security. Actually, most insurance companies would not cover (or would apply hefty premiums) a property that is not fitted with shutters.