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La Maison de la Réserve Ecologique

Archipel Zéro. Épinay-sur-Seine, France

Locally sourced biobased materials reflect educational mandate.

Compact and built without concrete foundations, this 610 m², two-storey educational facility anchors the Ecological Reserve of Épinay-sur-Seine, providing workshops, exhibitions, classrooms, and public events dedicated to environmental transition. The project addresses biodiversity loss and urban detachment from nature by serving as an intermediary between the city and ecological reserve, while acting as an educational gateway for all.

Constructed from local wood, straw, earth, and cellulose, the timber frame is clad with chestnut shingles and integrates reused windows, flooring, and fixtures. Bolted assemblies allow full disassembly, while bioclimatic features—solar chimneys, Trombe walls, and green façades—minimise energy use. Sequestering carbon while employing local reuse networks and social enterprises, La Maison de la Réserve represents a new prototype for low-impact, circular architecture.

 

 

 

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