Restoring the soul of an old house

Understanding the existing. This is a house at the end of a hamlet on the edge of the Bellême state forest. Under a 1980s renovation (cement, dated tiles, sealed fireplaces), we took the time to understand the existing structure and identify old walls, beams and forgotten volumes. The assessment also revealed untapped surface potential in vast convertible attic spaces.

Our mission began with stripping the interior to reveal the historical texture. We transformed the former kitchen into a living room to take advantage of the rediscovered chimney flues. We created a large convivial kitchen in the former bathroom, now open to the garden. Opening load-bearing walls improved circulation and brought in cross-light. The attic, with its original old beams, became a complete habitable floor, including a new bathroom.

Thermal rehabilitation. The challenge was to find the balance between thermal efficiency, respect for the old building (breathability) and comfort. We removed cement renders in favor of traditional lime or lime-hemp renders to improve moisture regulation. The attic benefited from 30 cm of wood fiber, offering excellent thermal phase shift for summer comfort. Heating relies on a wood energy mix: a pellet stove (controllable and autonomous) coupled with a log insert (economical and reducing ambient humidity).

Site management. Technical lots (structure, roofing, heating) were entrusted to specialized craftsmen, and finishing work were done in-house. This hybrid construction management model allowed us to benefit from ten-year guarantees while controlling the budget for "bespoke" finishes.