Homeowners in France use volunteers to insulate a low energy house

Julie and Aurélien, a couple in their 30s, organized a participatory construction project to insulate their new home in Ploufragan, a commune in the Côtes-d’Armor department of France.

The couple invited a dozen volunteers to help apply a layer of plaster to the interior of their 95 square meter house. They chose to use raw, biobased materials like straw and earth because these substances require a significant amount of manual labor.

The project aims to create a residence that uses 30% to 50% less energy than a standard new home. This initiative addresses the need for better insulation as the building sector accounts for one sixth of France's carbon footprint. The couple chose a participatory model to share traditional skills and train those who take part in the work. The house features a contemporary design with blackened wood and a flat roof made of light-colored planks.