SEMPERVIRENS

Published in 2024, France’s National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PNACC) predicts a temperature rise of +4°C in metropolitan France by 2100. In the southeast, this increase could reach +5°C, bringing a climate comparable to that of present-day Andalusia.

Yet, our current approach to this anticipated heat remains largely inadequate—whether through suboptimal architectural choices, excessive reliance on air conditioning, or a limited consideration to passive cooling strategies. This calls for a reassessment of our relationship with sunlight and airflow. Among the elements of traditional Provençal architecture, wooden shutters stand out as an effective response to both current and future climate challenges, offering natural thermal insulation and ventilation.

Today, when wood is chosen over aluminum or PVC for shutters, it often comes from exotic or non-native species treated to withstand the elements—ranging from XTBC-treated spruce (okoumé plywood) to treated Douglas fir.

However, cypress—the emblematic tree of Provence—is the only French endemic species classified as Class 5 under the NF EN 335-1 standard, the highest level of water resistance. Not only is it naturally durable, but it is also available locally. Yet, its supply is a critical challenge: only two artisanal sawmills in the southern region process cypress, sourcing it from individuals who are aware of its value. If not processed by one of these sawmills, cypress is typically burned or reduced to paper pulp, representing a significant loss of potential value.

Sempervirens is a project that explores solar and thermal protection systems made entirely from cypress. It envisions multiple ways to adapt our buildings to future climates, prioritizing local resources over international imports and favoring small-scale craftsmanship over industrial production.

In its form, the project also raises the question of the cypress industry. Designing with a resource that lacks an established industry implies a formal language different from industrialized drawings. The Sempervirens project proposes a formal language at the convergence of sculptural and standardized writing, echoing the scarcity of this resource.

Ultimately, Sempervirens seeks to open a dialogue with all stakeholders—citizens, local authorities, forestry organizations (ONF), sawmill operators, architects, and designers—to reassess the value of this local resource. The goal is to explore its role in sustainable architecture while carefully considering the environmental implications of any potential industrial expansion.

Institution : Self-initiated research project
Year : 2025
With Scierie la Bernadette
Project currently presented to institutional partners (ONF, Parcs, etc).