Group L - "Shaking Codes to Adapt to Constraints"
Present on the Luxembourg territory for 13 years, David Laloux is at the head of the architectural firm Group L. With two collaborators, Elise Kesteloot, interior designer, and Michel Schnatz, technical manager, he fixed us rendezvous in its offices, located in Howald. The opportunity to discuss, with them, projects realized, and their profession in a general way.
From the outset, a question burns our lips: a micro-team to carry out multiple missions, is not it disabling? The answer fuse! "Absolutely not, although it is true that we also work with two freelance architects". On the contrary, being few is even a force: "We enjoy doing our work, we are true enthusiasts who approach it in a fun way. Then it allows us to talk constantly and share our ideas. We do not always have the same vision, so sharing them allows us to take directions that we may not have thought of. "
Another advantage for the L Group, and it is undeniably a plus for the customers, is to propose a personalized follow-up: "We offer a choice of à la carte missions that can extend to the creation of unique and tailor-made furniture".
Projects in Luxembourg ... and much further!
If his desire to practice the profession of architect, he has since the age of 8 ("I do not remember to have wanted to do anything else"), David Laloux did not predestined, in However, to stay in Luxembourg: "It was only a temporary stop because I wanted to go to Australia, I dreamed of adventure. Finally, it is in the Grand Duchy that it unfolds! Once we are there, it is difficult to leave, as the quality of life is incredible.
Abroad, however, it is mentioned in the construction projects carried out by the Group L, since it realizes it everywhere in Europe: "We have received requests from people wanting to build outside the Luxembourgish borders, as well as from foreigners wishing to settle here," commented David Laloux. Hence the idea of forming partnerships with offices in Brussels, London, Rome, or Malaga. "They are all architects that I know personally. Since it is impossible to visit these sites regularly, it is imperative for us to work with competent local actors ". For customers, no need, either, to move: their project, in good hands, are thus managed directly from Luxembourg.
Result of the races: missions to be made to the four corners of the old continent, of which one recently, in the Belgian capital: "The customer's land has a steep 45 degree gradient, which is a relatively important constraint. In this extremely wooded landscape, a natural pocket already existed. This is where we established the home, so as to respect the ground as much as possible and to cut down a very small number of trees. The exploitable area for a garden was minimal but, so that the inhabitants can enjoy the outside, we imagined large terraces in height. They are accessible from each stage of life, and in direct connection with the natural terrain. "
Single-family homes do not, however, occupy the majority of projects carried out by Group L, which realizes more apartment buildings, but also offices, businesses, or special development projects (PAP). Of these, a dwelling that has 45, located rue de Mühlenbach in Luxembourg. Here again, a mission carried out masterfully. "The building is located on two streets, and the slope is blatant since between the lowest point and the highest of the two roads, there is a difference of 17 meters. So we had to adapt because, of course, we could not build apartments in the basement. Another specificity, each of them is unique, there are no two similar. We are not in favor of copy / paste, we want every buyer to have an exclusive good, completely different from that of his neighbor ".
The need to adapt to the constraints
Does the client, at a first meeting, already know what he wants? Most of the time, the answer is yes, notes David Laloux. "Some even come with a sketch of the habitat they want. It's nice because it already allows us to define their expectations. Even if the final result, it is rarely identical to their drawing.
Because between the wishes of the customer and the reality, there is indeed a gap. Their needs must be taken into account, as must the feasibility of what they want. The three collaborators are formal: many of them have cravings that are completely unfeasible.
There are two reasons for this: technology but also their budget. "People come to us knowing exactly what they want but, after the fact, they realize that their planned budget is not enough. Together, we are striving to find a fair compromise between what they want and their budget.
This can complicate the work of architects, who may be more difficult to innovate, especially as the regulations are also putting a spoke in the wheels. "Technically speaking, it has become complex to build, we can not do what we want. Regulations are a brake on architectural innovation. Like this apartment building in Neudorf, built a few years ago on steep terrain. To adapt to its typology, we built it up stairs. It was allowed at the time, which is no longer the case. If the project had been assigned to us at the moment, it would have been totally different.
"But finally, at most there are constraints, at most the project is interesting" continues David Laloux. "Current demands force us to think differently. We must shake the codes! Take for example the walls and their thickness. People are formatted and accustomed to the so-called standard construction mode. In order to build more and more autonomous and environmentally friendly buildings, the quantity and thickness of insulation has increased. This resulted in thick walls, to the detriment of the living space. Our role is therefore to think about the most suitable construction method to offer a certain living comfort to the inhabitants of the housing, while respecting the regulations. "
Think practical as well as aesthetic
The primary goal is to make the guest feel comfortable in their home. For that, it is necessary to be able to put oneself in its place and to define well its needs, especially if it is the end user. A collaborative work between him and the professionals therefore, who will try to better understand his daily life in order to offer him the most appropriate good. "To put it simply, we can compare that to shoes: a woman will want a pair of stilettos of 12 centimeters because she finds it pretty. After a few hours standing, she will finally realize that they are uncomfortable, and opt for a more practical model that allows her to move easily. It's the same for a home: it must correspond to the use you make of it every day, look like you, especially since it is a significant investment "explains Michel Schnatz.
To engage completely and to obtain a construction in adequacy with its way of life, a bond of trust must be established between the owner and the architect. Especially since the time spent together will last several months, sometimes even spread over more than a year: this to "give birth" to a construction that will remain in the landscape for decades.
An architectural trace that will last in time, impossible to hide, and synonymous with an era. That's why, says David Laloux, I like to say that, as an architect, we have a triple responsibility: it is not only economic, but also social and cultural.
Contact
Group L.
304a road of Thionville
L-5884 Howald / Hesperange
Phone : (+352) 28 77 12 17
www.groupe-l.com