Our philosophy
Pierre et traditions is a construction company which does not build. We are specializing in ecological renovation or restoration, where we take guidance in the principle of “the less is, the better is’.
It is no longer a secret to anyone that we are pushing the boundaries of our modell of growth. The construction sector, in particular, has a huge responsibility in the increase of CO2 emissions. Old houses contain a lot of so-called gray or embodied energy, which is lost when they are being demolished.
However, old houses are often more ecological than new constructions, because they are built with local materials and adapted to the local or regional climatic specificities.
New building materials consume lots of energy in their production. This is more particular the case with concrete which requires clinker to be burnt at temperatures between 1400 and 1500 ° C. The energy consumption for the production of a ton of cement is about 110 KwH.
Even if the temperatures are lower, the production of lime also necessitates huge amounts of energy. However, one of the arguments speaking in favour of lime is the fact that it binds again some of the CO2 during its hardening.
Unlike concrete, lime has many positive properties which our ancestors still knew about and consciously used. For instance, lime contributes significantly to improving of the interior atmosphere, which is partly due to the fact that it regulates the humidity contained in the air.
Lime is also known to be a flexible material which adapts to vibrations caused by, among others, the movement of the soil. It is a first choice material to be used with porous natural stones. Indeed, these stones are irremediably damaged by concrete.
Another material we use is clay. Due to the fact that clay is extracted directly from the earth, its production requires very little energy. Moreover, clay is almost infinitely avaible and can be recycled endlessly and without much effort.
Like lime, clay also contributes to the improvement of the interior atmosphere . It absorbs toxic substances. Like lime, clay also absorbs damp which it gradually releases to the air, preventing thus condensation.
Both materials can be combined with other materials such as hemp or straw. Doing so one obtains a wall coating which also insulates against the cold or heat. Both materials store heat, which is interesting in connection with wall heating systems or wood stoves.
While a renovation primarily aims to restore a building or to adapt it to a modern use, restoration goes far beyond: The aim is here to preserve old buildings in their original state as witnesses of their time. This requires familiarity of old craftsmanship and the ability to apply this knowledge with care.