Workshop b - "The art of combining architectural quality and energy efficiency"
In fifteen years of existence, the structure has evolved exponentially, but without seeing its number of collaborators explode: two architects, they are nine. Good communication between employees is a clear advantage to share their point of view and their experience, especially since in workshop b, everyone is predestined to lead a mission from A to Z, as mentioned by Christian Barsotti. "We are structured horizontally, I never wanted everyone to be assigned a specific task out of context. This allows each architect to perform a variety of work, but also to see the fruit of all its efforts materialize. And finally, it is also an advantage for the customer, who can have the same interlocutor throughout his project ".
Another plus, for the client, the office environment, multicultural, '' in the image of the country ''. Within it, one speaks in six languages (Luxembourgish, French, German, English, Portuguese and Italian). From an architectural point of view, this diversity also has its advantage, as Barsotti stresses maliciously: "A French-speaking architect may have a different approach than his German-speaking colleague. This exchange between everyone will perhaps give the solution Luxembourg.
A challenge: restore ancient and historic heritage
If multicultural diversity reigns in workshop b, the same goes for the missions carried out: "We are not only building new buildings, we are also very active in the revitalization and restoration of historic buildings. It implies having to think differently, to have particular knowledge. In any case, it is very rewarding to be able to alternate between these two types of completely different missions ".
Among the restorations carried out, that of the parish church of Junglinster, a baroque building classified national monument whose work took place between 2003 and 2010. The office has assumed the preparation and the general coordination of the works: "We had to do extensive research on historical materials and work closely with the National Sites and Monuments Department. We even reinstalled a wooden frame supporting the bells by removing the metal post-war. Now, they sound again as in the eighteenth century.
Castle Useldange has also passed into the hands of Christian Barsotti and his team, where new elements are now alongside the oldest: "Each addition was made according to the" Venice Charter ", that is to say, so that it can be distinguished from the medieval heritage. Our ambition is not to produce historical replicas, we must at all costs avoid the 'old-fashioned'. "
A precursory role in the Grand Duchy
To prove that the workshop b can also evolve in the restoration of historical monuments as in contemporary construction, just go to the Art Gallery Walferdange, called "CAW". Composed of two old houses belonging to the town, and which he has been renovating, he has added a matte black volume without windows. Installed at the back of the house as a showroom, it aspires daylight through several openings zenithales.
"This kind of mission is nevertheless punctual. Most of the time, we provide services for private clients "adds Christian Barsotti, before continuing: "Our credo is to combine modernity, architectural poetry and high energy efficiency. We are constantly challenged because our goal is to meet the needs of today, not those that are 15 years old. "
As we know, the requirements for the energy performance of buildings have evolved rapidly over the last decade. While the entry into force of this regulation may have destabilized some offices over time, this was not the case for workshop b. "While this development has been problematic for a few confreres, it has served us as a challenge. We have been doing this since our inception, which has given us some head start in this area. This is our leitmotif: architectural quality and energy efficiency are not incompatible, quite the opposite. If I think so, it may be because I did my studies in Austria, a nation in the forefront of ecological construction, well before many other countries.
A project recently designed and realized in this area is the headquarters of the Administration of Nature and Forests (ANF), in collaboration with morph4 architecture. Their building, located in Diekirch, is the first public building in the country with positive energy. "It was a very motivating pilot project, especially since a similar construction did not exist at the national level yet". Result of the races: a building with DGNB environmental certification that produces more energy than it consumes, and many prizes won.
In any case, during each preliminary project, and in order to minimize the presence of artificial means intended to provide energy, the orientation of the terrain is taken into account, so that all natural factors can be used.
Create an atmosphere in every habitat
But what advice should be given to a client who wishes to embark on a construction or renovation project? Christian Barsotti advises "to trust an architect of his choice, but also to have a realistic approach. "Two factors must be taken into account: the budget and the requirements of the owner. They must be compatible. If not, then find a common denominator: to invest more money or to reconsider its desideratas on the downside ".
A realistic approach, to provide answers to today's problems. As stated by Christian Barsotti, the challenge is "" to find solutions adapted to the criteria of each specific mission, without the personal note of the architect becoming too important ". On the other hand, it does not mean that you should not go off the beaten path. "Innovation is important, even if the end result may not be conclusive. But if it works, if we manage to bring something that I call "player", it will give the place a certain atmosphere.
A vision of the architecture that Christian Barsotti summarizes, in conclusion, in a quote, that of one of his university professors who marked it: "Most houses are dumb. A number of them speak, and some sing. It's up to me to make sure that they are always more numerous ".
Contact
workshop b
21, City Grand Duke Jean
L-7233 Bereldange
Phone : (+352) 26 33 18 59
Fax: (+352) 26 33 18 69
Email: info@atelierb.lu
www.atelierb.lu