The bee sanctuary, six swarms in straw walls
A place of meditation in the presence of bees, in timber frame, straw and earth, under a green roof. A participatory worksite carried out in 2009 with the GreenFriends association.
01 — The brief
The BABEL project (Bois, Abeilles et Biodiversité pour une Écologie Locale: Wood, Bees and Biodiversity for a Local Ecology) is an ecological building in earth, timber and straw, under a green roof, whose walls house six swarms of bees. From inside, visitors see and hear the swarms through glass walls.
02 — The response
The form derives from the bee: the hexagon recurs in plan, in elevation and in the reuse of hexagonal terracotta floor tiles. A self-supporting Douglas fir roof frame takes the loads and frees the space from a central post. A bee-shaped stained-glass window, beneath the skylight, colours the interior. The place is dedicated to contemplation and meditation.
03 — In short
Funded by the European Union’s Youth in Action programme, the sanctuary was built in 2009 by more than forty young volunteers, at Pontgouin, with the GreenFriends association.
04 — Expertise
This project belongs to one field of the studio’s expertise: bioclimatic construction and extensions.
Project photos
12 photos · click to enlarge
Other projects
02House in Pittefaux, in timber frame and straw balesA 165 m² bioclimatic house in timber frame with straw-bale insulation. Partial service: building permit (permis de construire). Project completed in 2014.
03Timber extension to a house in Crest80 m² timber extension facing due south towards the garden, with a carport, as a full architectural service with EP architecte. Project completed in 2024.
04Timber house at the Écohameau du PlessisCreation of a house of around 85 m² at the Écohameau du Plessis, up to the building permit (permis de construire), with a building designer (maître d’œuvre) for supervision of the works.