Architects

Technical Aspect

Concerning the installation of the insulation, Julien explains that "philosophically" insulating from the outside is the best option. However, there are many cases where this is not possible, especially for "protected" buildings whose facade is of public interest, and we then insulate from the inside. However, I am told of the case of aerogel integration in plaster, in exterior insulation.

We are talking about the management of the dew point: it is a problem in winter, when the temperature inside is high, which increases the humidity level which will then move in the layers of the wall, creating this concern of the dew point.

Solutions exist to let the materials breathe while blocking the passage of water, these are vapour barriers (can be installed on both sides as needed).

Laws and Framework

Julien and Augustin consider that Switzerland's energy strategy is well oriented towards insulation, and that the system of incentives through subsidies is working well. The country is particularly well suited for several reasons: the climate is subject to very large temperature swings. Insulation is therefore essential for the comfort of the inhabitants.

We have learned that more than 70% of the Swiss real estate stock needs to be renovated, that in parallel the market for new buildings is shrinking and that focusing on renovation is entirely realistic from an entrepreneurial point of view. The price of our insulator should be related to the price of m2 depending on the region (~10,000/m2 in large cities, between 4,000 and 6,000/m2) and target a fringe of interest.

The buildings are classified by a note denoting their importance in the eyes of Heritage, ranging from 1 to 7 (from the cathedral of Lausanne to good to demolish). For grades from 3 to 1 (national, regional, etc. importance) the Historic Monuments Department must be contacted for modifications (Voumard and Mercier deal with sites 2 and 3). It should be noted that for building sites below 2, insulation from the outside is impossible! Thus, we understand once again that the balance is always very complicated between heritage conservation and efficient insulation.

Vision

According to Julien and Augustin, ecological sustainability in construction means imagining the habitat as a storage space that can be entirely dismantled after use, and that can be modulated, allowing for a lesser impact on the environment, with a few concessions.

Within the framework of the renovation of the building, the architect is accompanied by the civil engineer (for the structure), the thermal engineer (for the building envelope) and the craftsmen working on the site. As mentioned in the interviews with Olivier H. and Viviane Hamon, we realise that the world of construction is extremely complicated, and that change can only be made by involving all the actors concerned. The inertia of the industry is very important.