Maison en Pétales - Auto-construire son habitat léger en 30 jours

Introduction to the Petal House Prototype

Overview of the Project

• The presentation introduces the prototype of the Petal House located in the Fertile Crescent, a site for habitat experimentation.

• Yve de Sarzan, designer of both the Nomadic House and Petal House, expresses excitement about presenting an accessible construction concept aimed at self-builders.

• The project emphasizes material economy and ecological sustainability, highlighting that the habitat is both removable and financially accessible.

Construction Process Insights

• The team discusses establishing reversible foundations for the Petal House prototype, focusing on practical steps taken during construction.

• Initial planning involved using SketchUp for modeling; they established a central element called "pistil" with five petals arranged based on cardinal directions.

Foundation Establishment Techniques

Technical Steps in Foundation Creation

• They initially attempted to create foundation points using an isosceles triangle method but faced precision issues leading to a redesign.

• A shift to applying Pythagorean theorem allowed them to accurately establish right angles necessary for their twelve-sided structure.

Ground Preparation Challenges

• The team encountered varying soil conditions requiring careful excavation down to clay layers while ensuring each tire was level.

• They filled tires with earth compactly to ensure stability, aiming for each tire to support significant weight over time.

Tire Filling and Structural Integrity

Techniques for Tire Filling

• Each tire was filled with earth and stones; this dual-layer approach helps prevent moisture from rising into the house structure.

• After completing four days of work, they prepared two types of tires: one filled with earth and another with gravel as part of their foundation strategy.

Foundation Leveling Process

• Next steps included leveling all foundation elements before placing foundational beams crucial for structural integrity.

Assembly of Structural Components

Building Framework Elements

• The framework consists of layered wood pieces assembled simply yet effectively without complex lamination processes.

• Issues arose regarding pillar reservations which required adjustments; solutions were implemented by adding spacers to ensure proper fitting.

Roof Support Structure Development

• Arbalétriers (roof supports), made from layered wood, are designed to hold insulation and roofing materials securely in place.

Installation Procedures

Floor System Setup

• Following foundation completion, floor joists were installed perpendicularly across foundational beams creating a stable base for flooring.

• OSB panels were cut precisely around pillars ensuring no air infiltration through joints by utilizing expansive sealing materials.

Finalizing Structural Assembly

• Temporary central pillars facilitated accurate placement of arbalétriers while maintaining structural alignment throughout assembly phases.

Conclusion and Reflection on Construction Experience

Project Outcomes

• After 20 days of work involving various participants with limited prior experience in construction, significant progress was achieved despite some delays due to material handling errors.

• Future tasks include installing remaining insulation and finishing interior framing within petals while reflecting on collaborative efforts that fostered a positive working atmosphere.

Closing Thoughts

• Participants expressed satisfaction with their achievements during this innovative building process aimed at promoting sustainable living practices through community engagement.