PECARD ARCHITECTE philosophy

Philosophy

Reflect the soul of St. Barth

In 45 years of architecture in St. Barth, the PECARD ARCHITECTE Company has refined and personalized its style, strongly inspired by the vernacular architecture of the island.

The multiplication of small volumes implanted in sites according to natural elements (wind, sun, relief, vegetation, etc.) enables perfect integration into the landscape and allows buildings to evolve according to the needs and means of users. These are very modern concepts, more relevant than ever when it comes to meeting growing demand without the risk of destroying natural sites.

Local traditions and modern architecture

Bridging tradition and modernity

The rooting of architecture in the local traditions resulting from the experience and good sense of many generations of a population confronted with natural elements, sometimes violent, far from being past, is on the contrary very modern, in the good sense of the word. We are among those who think that modernity in architecture does not consist of following the new trends, the fashions of the moment, because they are fleeting and come from an often unsuitable context.

On the contrary, we consider that the historical roots, the traditional know-how, are a solid base to conceive an authentic architecture answering perfectly to the local constraints. The architecture will become contemporary by its adaptation to the requirements of our time, relating in particular to the evolution of lifestyles and techniques.

The history of "wind boxes

The "wind shelter" at the origin of a contemporary architecture that is school

As soon as he arrived in 1978, François PECARD fell in love with the small stone huts of the windward coast, the famous "wind cabins". He decides, on an experimental basis, to build himself his office of 15 m2 on this model. The thick stone walls will be replaced by walls in concrete blocks, recessed, to accommodate his files and his drawing board. The implantation is chosen in the shade of a tree to protect the small shelter from the setting sun. A slight flatness of the ground will allow, by means of a wall of dry stones, not to resort to the mechanical devices.

Dessinée en 1982, cette villa fut notre première réalisation d’un “village” de “cases à vent”. Peu à peu, cette architecture évoluera jusqu’à devenir un style devenu emblématique de St. Barth, maintenant reproduit dans la Caraïbe.

Anti-cyclonic and seismic measures in architecture in St. Barths

Hurricane and earthquake resistant construction

Located in a geographical area very exposed to hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis, St-Barth has a very strict regulation with regard to construction.  

Geotechnical engineers, engineers and architects are required to comply with the latest updates to these standards.
 

The traditional St-Barth architecture is particularly suited to this type of constraint. (Small volumes, small openings closed by solid wooden shutters, frames inspired by shipbuilding, solidly anchored, everything was thought to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes, etc. ...).

Energy transition: a necessity for the future of St. Barths

Energy saving and renewable energies

We take particular care to save energy, by promoting the use of natural ventilation, verandas on façades exposed to the sunset, the use of insulating materials, air conditioners "inverter", heat pumps, light bulbs. LED etc. ... We systematically use solar water heaters and, increasingly, install photovoltaic panels for additional energy supply. 

Without local natural resources, city water comes from a desalination unit of sea water. Production is limited and subject to climatic hazards. As a precaution, local regulations require the creation of cisterns for storing roof water. Wastewater is treated and recycled for watering gardens. 

St. Barth: an ideal testing ground for architecture that can withstand extreme weather conditions

Extreme degradation conditions

Avec une température diurne aux alentours de 28/30°, un taux d’humidité souvent au-dessus de 90% et une exposition quasi permanente aux UV et embruns salés, St. Barth se trouve exactement dans les conditions reproduites en laboratoire lors des tests de vieillissement accéléré. Plus que nulle part ailleurs, ces conditions climatologiques extrêmes imposent une architecture adaptée tant en ce qui concerne la conception générale que le choix des techniques de construction et des matériaux.

Awards

2005 - Current

  1. Feb 2005
  2. Jun 2006
  3. Aug 2007
  4. Nov 2008
  5. Jul 2010
  6. Feb 2011
  7. Jun 2012
  8. Dec 2013
  9. May 2014
  10. Sep 2015
  11. Oct 2016
  12. Dec 2017

  1. 2A Continental Architectural Awards

    Residential Project

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  2. Erich Schelling Architecture Award

    Commercial Project

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  3. International Architecture Awards

    Interior Design

    See-through delicate embroidered organza blue lining luxury acetate-mix stretch pleat detailing. Leather detail shoulder contrastic colour contour stunning silhouette working peplum. Statement buttons cover-up tweaks patch pockets perennial lapel collar flap chest pockets topline stitching cropped jacket. Effortless comfortable full leather lining eye-catching unique detail to the toe low 'cut-away' sides clean and sleek.

  4. Jane Drew Prize

    Residential Project

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  5. Curry Stone Design Prize

    Residential Project

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  6. Erich Schelling Architecture Award

    Interior Design
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  7. BSI Swiss Architectural Award

    Commercial Project

    Effortless comfortable full leather lining eye-catching unique detail to the toe low 'cut-away' sides clean and sleek. Polished finish elegant court shoe work duty stretchy slingback strap mid kitten heel this ladylike design slingback strap mid kitten heel this ladylike design.

  8. Moriyama RAIC International Prize

    Landscape & Gardening
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  9. Pritzker Prize

    Residential Project

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  10. Praemium Imperiale

    Interior Design
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  11. World Architecture Festival

    Residential Project

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  12. Green Good Design

    Product Design
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