Material Transition - Learning from Paris

France's journey towards 'low-carbon' building

France is currently at the forefront of ‘bio-based building’. In recent years, the country has promoted a strong vision with national environmental legislation that encourages ‘low-carbon’ construction and policies that stimulate the use of biobased materials in public procurement.

As the city of the 'Paris Agreement,' Paris stands out as a leader in this movement. The city is committed to achieving carbon neutrality. In the building sector, there is a concerted effort to transition to low-carbon materials, which includes - alongside an ‘end of demolition policy’ - the promotion of timber and other bio-based materials like straw and hemp, as well as minimally processed geo-based materials like raw earth and natural stone.

The Dutch are still known for their conceptual design rigor yet a new narrative for the practise is emerging; one which is biobased. What can we learn from Grand Paris? What lessons can we draw from the French experience for the Netherlands and beyond? What are the driving factors, how does it align with current initiatives in other countries, and how can we accelerate the upscaling of timber and bio-based building?

Building practices

By showcasing successful examples, this research project by CHRITH architects and Emma Diehl aims to inspire action and positivity over skepticism, offering a broad view of transitioning practices. The research so far encompasses nearly 100 notable projects in the region of Paris, ranging from large-scale timber projects and lightweight timber structures atop existing constructions to projects that use other bio-based materials (such as straw and hemp insulation) and projects that combine timber with low-carbon geo-based materials (such as raw earth and natural stone) for thermal mass.

Building policies

The background research focuses on understanding why Grand Paris has achieved its outstanding position in bio-based construction. It emphasizes the driving forces behind this transition: national legislation on embodied carbon, the key role of public buildings in the transition process, innovative tender strategies, the upcoming Paris Bioclimatic Urban Plan (effective in 2025), influential market initiatives and associations. This research has the potential to evolve into a toolbox of practical resources accessible to clients, governance bodies, designers, and other stakeholders.