01.10.2007 Chez R., Rouffiac

The renovation and extension of Chez R. is nearing the stage of practical completion.  The project consisted of the renovation of an existing charentais house aswell as a contemporary style extension to the rear. The materials used include timber cladding and white concrete to the elevations with the new joinery in coloured aluminium. Solar panels and decking have been fitted to the two-storey portion to the back of the building. view project details and images

25.07.2007 Urbacharme Awards Ceremony

In the Charente-Maritime where the story of architecture is , essentially one of stone, how is one to build in timber? How can we reconcile a new method of construction with this urban landscape or the rural one which shaped it? Which architectural, technical or aesthetic qualities, that timber construction allows can we put to the forefront? In partnership with the National Timber Comittee and the ‘Conseil General’ the CAUE 17 wished to open the 2007 edition of the annual awards to projects, both public and private, constructed in wood.

The choice of the jury was based on three criteria:
1. The care taken to carefully insert the project into the environment (built or natural) which often sparks debate.
2. The general coherence of the project with regard to other environmental impacts: location, energy efficiency.
3. The relevance of the timber construction in economic terms (price, speed of construction).

From a wide range of projects , the jury selected three prize-winners: the Thermal Baths Residence at Jonzac in the category of infrastructure, the Dedron House at Thou and the Lormont House (by Paul McMahon Architects) in the ‘Habitat’ category.

The photo shows Sebastien Bigo accepting the award on behalf of the office at the Conseil General on the 06 July 2007.

05.06.2007 Apartment/ Offie Project

Permission has been granted for the architectural conversion of a ‘Maison de Bourg’ in Cognac, 16100 Charente, to be converted into 2 no. Apartments with a ground floor office. Existing period features will be retained and all the units will benefit from the generous volumes of the 19th century rooms which remain unaltered throughout. The project is currently at tender stage.

25.04.2007 McMahon Archtects + ADEME

Environmental and Energy Consumption Agency, France. The ADEME have several schemes for promotion of reduced energy consumption in dwellings in France. The benefits are two-fold; firstly, greenhouse gas emission is reduced by the installation of energy efficient heating devices and improved insulation. Secondly, the householder benefits from a lump-payment for the installation (excluding labour costs) rising up to 1800 euros. In addition a tax-credit is available at the end of the financial year. (for more info.:www.ademe.fr) As architects we are actively involved in the promotion of the use of heat-pumps, solar powered hot water heaters and electricity generating solar panels and incorporating them successfully into our designs. In addition, wood-fired heating installations also reduce the use of fossil fuels and benefit from financial aids.

In collaboration with a client, Mme. Charlotte MONTREUIL, we have combined many of these technologies to produce a architectural-design for a house in the Charente-Maritime, which use materials with low levels of embedded energy as well as a building, which will consume dramatically less energy in day-to-day use. We will post drawings on our ‘Houses’ tab very soon.

Paul McMahon Architects

02.03.2007 Renovation of a Charentaise

Renovation of the facades and joinery completed at Courcoury. The project consists of the renovation of a traditional Charentaise Farmhouse of 250m² and swimming pool. Handover may 07.