Architects, contractors and private individuals are increasingly getting involved in the construction of eco-friendly housing. Guided tour of a completed project, a symbol of a sustainable approach undertaken in a self-taught way.
While many dream of being able to build their own home, some succeed by bringing to life the most advanced sustainable ideas and concepts. An approach that, by reconciling housing and contemporary ecological imperatives, expresses a desire to go beyond standards to build structures faithful to their convictions.
Choice of durable materials, innovation in insulation, or the use of local renewable energies are all levers to exploit to move toward energy autonomy. This multifaceted approach was notably adopted by engineer Marc Muller, who, a decade ago, transformed his house into a model of sustainability, true to his values and his vision of what an ecological home should be.
Built on the heights above Lake Neuchâtel, in Châtillon, this dwelling embodies a deep commitment to sustainability. Its designer, an expert in renewable energies and founder of the company IMPACT LIVING, has materialized his convictions about the energy transition and degrowth there.
The challenge is considerable: to demonstrate that an autonomous lifestyle is possible, without compromising quality of life, while building a comfortable nest for his family. The gamble rests on a striking fact: this dwelling is connected to neither the electrical grid nor the water network. An ambitious project, initiated in 2015, that calls into question the very notion of housing and, more broadly, that of sustainable architecture.
Video tour of the house
Trained as an engineer, Marc Muller was also personally involved in the construction of his home. “I actively participated in all stages of the work, from masonry to carpentry, including plumbing. My objective was to make the best use of the site's natural assets.”
The architectural approach adopted favors a design in symbiosis with the property's environment. At first glance, one striking element stands out to the visitor: the use of vegetation as a natural thermal regulator. In summer, dense foliage filters sunlight, while in winter, bare branches allow solar heat to pass through, thus optimizing the home's thermal comfort.
Sixty centimeters of straw insulation and triple-glazed windows complete the natural system, modeled on the rhythm of the seasons. In addition, a wood stove provides heating while contributing to the production of hot water during winter.
The roof is equipped with photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 12 kW, allowing it to power household appliances and contribute to heating domestic hot water.
Finally, a battery system also stores excess energy, used notably to charge cars and electric bicycles. The entire system partly relies on the use of second-life lithium batteries.
Another example of optimizing resources and local assets, the house rests on a timber frame made from wood from the Fribourg Prealps forests, located nearby. As for the walls of the structure, they partially incorporate the earth excavated during the exterior work carried out to build the garden's natural pool.
Mixed with sand and straw, this local resource presents a double advantage, both architectural and structural, providing the dwelling with solidity and thermal inertia. The absence of interior load-bearing walls also offers great flexibility in layout and increased modularity over the long term.
Last key aspect of the project: water management. “I designed a system for collecting and filtering rainwater on the roof, allowing it to cover all domestic needs,” explains Marc Muller. “The system offers a storage capacity of 6,000 liters.”
This approach, both ingenious and minimalist, results in remarkable performance in terms of both comfort and costs. Energy- and water-autonomous, the dwelling is connected to neither the water network nor the electricity grid, while still providing sufficient resources for watering the garden and vegetable patch. Also noteworthy: the home's monthly expenses do not exceed 50 francs, a sum spent exclusively on purchasing firewood.
As original as it is high-performing in terms of sustainability and energy, Marc Muller's house is largely the result of the environmental awakening the engineer experienced in 2002 during a stay on a Canadian farm. “It was precisely during that trip that an awareness occurred in me. I then realized that it was entirely possible to reconcile quality of life and respect for the environment within a home that is modest, humble and comfortable — dimensions that are nevertheless often opposed in the collective unconscious,” he recounts.
Upon his return to Switzerland, he turned to renewable energies, determined to support the ecological transition for municipalities and companies. He is particularly interested in the psychological and decision-making mechanisms that favor change.
This reflection sharpened during a world tour undertaken in 2009 aboard a solar-electric vehicle designed by engineering students. For two years, he traveled across four continents, exchanging with actors of the energy transition.
Over the years, his main conviction has solidified around a single observation: the success of the ecological transition depends above all on the transmission of practical know-how. “With this in mind, we must quickly train professionals in the fields of construction, agriculture and energy. Future challenges primarily involve a reappropriation of concrete skills, essential to implementing the transition.”
The engineer's ecological house, whose accomplished concept is an example of commitment and sustained involvement, also fits within a growing trend of eco-responsible housing.
“In addition to the increasingly demanding standards and regulations that govern the construction sector, both for renovations and new builds, I observe a real awareness and a desire to do things well on the part of clients and owners, whether private or institutional,” adds Marc Muller.
According to him, the main challenge remains the economic aspect for many people, because a sustainable architectural project requires a certain investment. “While it may represent an initial effort, it proves in any case profitable in the long term thanks to the energy savings achieved.”
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