DETRY LEVY ARCHITECTES

Architecture and ecology
Our action is focused on ecology. It is a research to reduce energy consumptions, to integrate a maximum renewable energy, to create healthy spaces for the occupants, to use preferably local materials which are hardly charged with grey energy,… The architectural quality determines the sustainability of a building, the technical installations are perishable. A long-lasting building is thus a harmonious, intelligent building, in fruitful dialogue with its urban and social context.

Our architecture tends to respect the economy of our customers, by research of a certain sobriety, of a repetition of simple elements, of subtle variations. It is contextual, adapted to every case, to every site, it is not dictated by the systematic taste of a shape or a material.

Teaching allows the confrontation of different kind of knowledge. Pierre Lévy has led for ten years the in-service training of “Quality Environment of Buildings” at the National Graduate School of Architecture of Lyon, in association with the Local Agency of Energy of Grand Lyon. Other members of the firm were also awarded a diploma for the same training. Pierre Lévy also initiated the in-service training RENEC, Ecological Renovation of Buildings where the best French or European experts intervene. Teaching as well as research has taken an important place in the development of our firm.

We systematized some actions within the framework of our certification ISO 900 1:

• A graphic study, which brings to light the advantages and the inconveniences of the site’s location of every project.
• The display of the coefficients on the plans of thermal conductivity of walls (Coefficient U).
• The calculation of consumptions in the sketch phase, by testing different variants with “TRIBU” software system, with “toolbox", or with "PHPP" Passive House Association’s software. Without going to labeling schemes, on all our new projects we make a commitment to have a building envelope which is compatible with Passive label requirements.
• A research of optimization of the project’s grey energy.

This thermal, architectural and economic exploration takes place in our office, by a collaborative work between architects, engineers, thermal engineers and economists. We use BBC ,EFINERGIE, PASSIV HAUS, MINERGIE, "Housing and Environment " labels according to the necessities of the projects.

Our ecological approach concerns new construction, renovation, as well as architectural heritage. This is shown by Pierre Levy's book "The ecological renovation" (published by TERRE VIVE), which appeared in 2010.This attitude opens the way to a better world, to more respect towards people and towards nature, and to preserving the biodiversity. Who is responsible, who has to take steps for environment, for our planet? Our action is guided by searching for concrete answers with our clients and our partners.