Definition, advantages, construction costs and urban planning approaches, the contemporary house has its own characteristics that it is essential to know before launching your project.
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What is a contemporary house?
The law does not specifically define this type of habitat.
The definition of the contemporary home
A contemporary house is part of the desire and desire to design and build a home differently from what was done before and what is usually done today.
Contemporary architecture is innovative. It very commonly includes the following elements:
- Simplicity of shapes. Quite often, the straight line and the cube.
- Sleek architecture.
- An interior layout optimized for the well-being of its inhabitants.
- Individualized volumes through the use of different plaster shades and different heights.
- A flat roof, green or not. Sometimes a 2 or 4 sloped roof,
- The use of noble materials, such as glass, wood, brick and metals.
- The use of vegetation, on the roof or on the walls, to integrate the construction into its natural environment and bring a little coolness during the summer season.
- The use of modern and environmentally friendly technologies such as photovoltaic cells, geothermal energy, heat pumps, heat exchangers and heat collectors. The aim is to produce and conserve heat in order to increase the energy efficiency of the home.
- The use of home automation to program, control and automate all the devices in the home. For example, opening or closing shutters, adjusting the temperature of the heating or keeping the home safe.
- Larger and more abundant openings. Their multiplication allows for greater brightness and sunshine. But also to bring the outdoor landscape inside the home. There are large bay windows, panoramic windows, French windows, skylights...
Contemporary homes can be single-storey or multi-storey.
What is the difference between a traditional house and a contemporary house?
The main distinction lies in the architectural approach.
The traditional home is often inspired by the styles of the past, regional or historical architecture, while the contemporary home embraces modernity in all its forms, prioritizing innovation and functionality.
Traditional homes typically have a more compartmentalized layout with separate rooms for specific uses. Contemporary homes are more open.
Note
These distinctions are not absolute. Many homes can incorporate elements from both styles, creating hybrid variations.
Why choose a contemporary home?
There are several reasons why you may want to choose a contemporary home:
- You appreciate open and functional interior spaces.
- You encourage the integration of eco-friendly and sustainable materials. But also energy efficiency and the use of environmentally friendly materials.
- You want to move with the times and integrate technology, advanced home automation systems, and energy-efficient equipment into your home.
How much should you budget to build a contemporary house?
The construction of a contemporary home is often an individualized project so that it can be adapted to the particular needs of your family. The price varies depending on what you want to incorporate into your home.
But compared to the construction costs of a traditional home, those of a contemporary home are higher. This is due to the use of more expensive materials and modern technologies.
However, a strong and growing demand for the construction of contemporary homes allows builders to integrate them into their catalogue. They sometimes even offer them as a kit, which helps reduce construction costs.
What are the rules for building a contemporary house?
All construction projects must comply with current urban planning rules and standards as well as local regulations. You will therefore need to obtain the necessary planning permission before starting the work.
- Contemporary Houses and Planning Permissions
Your project to build a contemporary house, single-storey or two-storey, will face the same obligations as a project to build a traditional house.
The filing of a building permit is required when the floor area created is greater than 20 m² (Article R421-1 of the Urban Planning Code).
The use of the architect is mandatory, in the context of a building permit, for any project with a floor area of the construction exceeding 150 m² (Article R431-2 of the Urban Planning Code).
It is strongly advised to call on professionals for this type of project and why not find a competent architect near you to support you.
Good to know
The floor area includes all the surfaces of each level inside the perimeter walls of the building, enclosed and covered, from which we deduct the building surfaces related to vehicle parking, voids and hoppers, as well as the surfaces that are less than 1.80 meters high (attic basement).
Note: if your contemporary house project is located within a protection perimeter of the Architect of the Buildings of France, it is wise to contact the service to see what can be authorized or not. While respect for the architectural characteristics of the region does not prevent the construction of a contemporary house, adaptations may sometimes be necessary (roof slopes, dimensions of openings, colour of facades and/or joinery, etc.).
- Contemporary Homes and Local Regulations
Your construction project for a contemporary home must comply with current local regulations. In particular with regard to the building heights, the roof slopes, the external appearance of the construction and the integration of the project into its environment (Article R111-27 of the Urban Planning Code).
For more information, contact the town planning department of your town hall.
Contemporary house, what you need to know
In France, there is no specific legal definition of the contemporary house. A contemporary dwelling is a construction made in our time. However, it can be characterized by certain architectural criteria, the use of new materials, the integration of modern technologies and openness to the outside.
Opting for a contemporary home is a bold choice that requires careful planning: from the choice of land to the choice of materials, including the administrative procedures.
The planning permissions to be obtained are the same as for a traditional house.
Don't hesitate to get advice from professionals in order to carry out your project.