Chateau Cantenac Brown, Grand Cru Classé from 1855, in Margaux was founded 200 years ago by a Scottish John Lewis Brown. Recognizable by its spectacular Tudor-style chateau, Cantenac Brown is still family owned today and has announced the construction of a new, unique winery made entirely of raw earth.
Eco-responsible, ecological or sustainable architecture is a system that aims at building environmentally friendly places. In this sense, it implies taking into account various elements such as the choice of materials, the layout of rooms, energy needs, energy supply methods, etc. As it takes into account this diversity of factors, this mode of architecture is complex but necessary to meet the needs of our time. Aware of these issues, Château Cantenac Brown is building a new raw earth cellar that perfectly meets the requirements of this architecture.
What is eco-responsible architecture?
Sustainable architecture is a method of construction that takes into account all the components of the building to respect the environment as much as possible. Thus, green architecture involves energy optimization, by reducing the building’s energy needs as much as possible, the use of sustainable and locally sourced materials, optimal waste management and the reuse of materials (or the reduction of the use of new materials).
In addition, sustainable architecture also implies a deep thinking about the living environment and the social issues related to construction. The aim is to construct the building that is best suited to the living environment and its use.
Thus, eco-responsible architecture aims to reduce the impact of construction on the environment. Beyond this simple aspect, this architecture aims to facilitate exchanges between the environment and man in furtherance of creating harmony and optimizing construction.
History of eco-responsible architecture
Ecological concern is omnipresent today, but the history of sustainable architecture goes back to the origins of housing and human constructions. Indeed, in primitive societies, human constructions and nature are one and the same. However, urbanization and its progressive acceleration, until its explosion in the 19th century, led to a densification of constructions and a disconnection between nature and habitat.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, architects have been questioning the relationship between architecture and the environment. At this time, Frank Lloyd Wright established the beginnings of organic architecture. Gradually, many architects grasped the subject and spread the objective of adequacy between the environment and construction.
If this topic may have been the work of idealists for a large part of the 20th century, today it is a crucial necessity for everyone. Indeed, in a context of climate change, the environmental impact of a construction can no longer be neglected and must be at the heart of concerns.
How to measure eco-responsible architecture?
It is sometimes difficult to measure the extent to which a building is eco-responsible. However, certain criteria make it possible to measure the environmental impact of a building. In particular, the eco-responsibility of a construction is illustrated both during the construction of the building and during its use.
First of all, the choice of materials is one of the most important criteria. Indeed, choosing materials sourced locally and without chemical components demonstrates the adoption of an eco-responsible approach and a low impact on the environment.
Moreover, reducing a building’s energy needs is a strong component of eco-responsibility. Indeed, by the good orientation of the building, the favourable positioning of openings, and the choice of insulation, the energy needs of a construction can be very low. Reducing these needs makes it possible to limit the environmental impact of the building during its use.
Eco-responsible architecture at the Château Cantenac Brown
Château Cantenac Brown is committed to a process of respect for the environment which is illustrated in particular in the construction of a new raw earth cellar. The use of raw earth is unprecedented in the construction of such a building and has many virtues such as optimal thermal control. Signed by Philippe Madec, a French architect and pioneer of eco-responsibility, this new wine cellar respects all the provisions of sustainable construction and is intended to mark a new stage for Château Cantenac Brown. This setting will multiply the power of the earth that is expressed in our wines.