practice

Making maintenance simple

General description

The circular construction paradigm ideally results in low and simple maintenance of buildings over time. A holistic plan, low-tech construction techniques, and adaptable strategies in combination with flexible natural or reused materials should make it possible that buildings can be easily repaired and renovated. This might also lead to a prolonged use of materials.

Examples

OBK 27

Paris, France

Thanks to the comprehensive planning and the meticulous design of specific details, the structure achieves a remarkable level of reversibility, resulting in more efficient maintenance and renovation processes. For instance, the walls of the building consist of only three layers. The load-bearing natural stone structure is directly coated with hemp lime insulation, which is then covered with lime plaster. This simplified wall assembly stands in stark contrast to the numerous layers typically found in exterior walls. By reducing the number of building materials, the project also minimised the number of companies required on-site, leading to improved construction logistics. The overall design aims to create a low-maintenance building, which is especially beneficial considering the client's philosophy.