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Project for an Eco-hamlet in MONTBRUN BOCAGE

FOREWORD

large part of our society lives under the pressure of a social climate which urges us to be

more and more individualistic. It requires structures and practices which are no more

adapted to present day needs. It creates isolation or separation, and accelerates the decline

of human relations

Each one of us may see things differently, but we share one conviction: we are moving towards new

horizons, where the values of an authentic humanity should have their place. Our approach goes

beyond our personal needs and contributes to this change.

Our project starts from simple ideas:

- Sharing and communication support life

- It is possible to live together and to grow old in a way that is different, more human, alive and

dignified, by taking another look at our relationship with others and with life in society.

We wish to build an intergenerational place, the purpose of which is to live in a context of social

and ecological commitment, based on benevolence, mutual attention and assistance, and respect

for the environment.

Children, teenagers, adults, pensioners, and older people will thus be able to create bonds of

complicity and live in a brotherly spirit. With this approach, invaluable factors of wealth such as

sharing, passing on knowhow, and the development of inborn talents will avail of enough space in

order to develop while respecting the independence of life and the intimacy of others.

This project is non profit-making. It derives from a voluntary act serving the expression of the most

noble of our qualities, and it is an answer to some of to-day’s concerns:

- by offering solutions in which ecology is engrained in the very act of life,

- by integrating the project into local life so as to have a positive and durable impact on the village, - by fostering bonds between generations, - by creating a responsible collective, concerned about the future generations, involved in

social projects and with the will to develop and encourage artistic and creative vitality.

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THE PROJECT LOCATION

The land for our project is located in the village of

MONTBRUN BOCAGE (31310) next to the Parc Naturel

Régional des Pyrénées Ariégeoises.

It covers an area of 4 hectares and is situated right at

the entrance to the village, and thus is open to many

opportunities.

The village is alive, charming, and has a warm

atmosphere. Social and cultural life is developing with

many new alternative activities. On Sundays, the small

market is very popular, with local producers, craftsmen, and artists, and the ambiance is very open.

This project is meant to integrate into the present day village ; it is meant to be its natural

extension, to participate in its life and its development, by taking advantage of its facilities and

offering new ones in a complementary way.

THE CONTENT OF THE ECO-HAMLET

Ecology is one of the essential pillars of this project.

This intention is constantly present in all our proceedings.

Ecology will be present in an appropriate manner in

every action and can be felt all along this description.

Our project is organized according to two dimensions.

− Habitat and communal life

− Social projects

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HABITAT AND COMMUNAL LIFE

TTHHEE VVIILLLLAAGGEE SSQQUUAARREE

The urbanistic design of the eco-hamlet follows

the principle of socialisation, by creating a

square in the centre of the eco-hamlet.

This square will be the core of the eco-hamlet:

the space where people cross and meet, a

convivial place, where to live and to

communicate, and a passageway to the heart of

the historical village.

For this purpose, we are planning for a fountain,

a band stand, a café/shop, gardens and two

bowling alleys. TTHHEE CCOOMMMMUUNNAALL HHOOUUSSEE

A communal house will be built; it will be a

place for communication and sharing, to serve the people and their various projects, including the

residents of the Béguinage. It is a privileged space for developing and putting in practice relations

and exchanges between generations, for fun, and for creative activities. TTHHEE IINNDDIIVVIIDDUUAALL HHOOUUSSIINNGG

his part of the project is planned for persons or families who have the desire and the

practical possibility to live there, where they will find various opportunities for building their

own house.

Those who choose to live there will share a new approach to property: they will be co-owners of

the whole project rather than owners of their plot.

The equilibrium and architectural harmony of the whole is a priority, the buildings will follow the

specifications of the site as well as aesthetic equilibrium and coherence. In order to achieve this, a

single architect will be selected for drafting house plans, but each individual project will be

finalised in consultation with the architect.

All the houses will be designed to follow the principles of bioclimatic architecture, such as

minimizing the energy needs, and using water in a responsible manner...

( www.fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioclimatique )

A geobiological expertise of the land will be carried out in order to tune each part of this project to

the subtle energies of this location. Would they wish so, the inhabitants will be given the

opportunity to ask for the same testing, adapted to their house project.

In agreement with the same principle of opening and conviviality, there will be no fence, but only

small private partitions so as to preserve intimacy in terraces.

The distribution of land will provide space for building individual houses or apartments, according

to the projects of the people who will be interested :

Current plans include the following :

− 15 individual plots around the square, distributed to the North and the South, each one

with a terrace and a small garden. − 6 individual plots with a bit more space to the South, at some distance from the square − A group of 6 semi-detached houses, at equal distance from the square.

It will also be possible to live in the village or in the surrounding area.

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TTHHEE GGAARRDDEENNSS

Green space will be given a priority in all

the project area and will be shared

between the inhabitants : common

spaces, gardens, orchards and other

vegetable gardens will be included in

the project. Fruit trees will be planted

along the pedestrian alleys and mixed

with ornamental species.

In the mid term, we are planning for a

collective greenhouse to the South of

the land. We are working on the idea of

sharing gardens with the villagers

AA HHAALLLL FFOORR PPEERRSSOONNAALL AANNDD AARRTTIISSTTIICC IINNNNEERR EEXXPPRREESSSSIIOONN

Near the square, a hall will be built to be used by personal development or

inner expression groups. It will be possible to hire space for activities such as

meditation, yoga, qi gong , dancing…

AA GGUUEESSTT HHOOUUSSEE

The hamlet will have a small guesthouse for the use of visitors, for variable durations of time. It

could be used as a complement to the municipal holiday cottage as the need may arise.

It will also be possible to hire it permanently, in a manner similar to the " time sharing " formula. AARRTTIISSTT SSTTUUDDIIOOSS

To echo the cultural dynamics of the village, we are planning to

build a house for artists on the square ; it will be divided into 3 or

4 studio units, with a mezzanine or apartment on the floor above.

AA HHEEAALLTTHH CCEENNTTEERR

We consider an area of about 100 m2, with rooms for 3 or 4

practitioners. TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL FFAACCIILLIITTIIEESS AANNDD OOTTHHEERR CCOOMMMMOONN PPRROOPPEERRTTIIEESS

A shed will be built for the storage of materials and other common goods. The purchase of tools in

common, for the upkeep of facilities and houses, for DIY, auto construction or other needs is also

being considered.

We are also planning to build:

− A pond to collect rainwater − A lagooning installation for the collection and processing of waste waters. − A heating network, including warm water supply using shredded raw wood as fuel, with

preheating by solar panels (under study) − A common laundry

CCAARR PPAARRKKSS

Two groups of car parks are planned: one with a capacity of 50 parking places for the houses

around the square (no traffic allowed on the square, except for servicing), the other one for

visitors. Houses located away from the center will be allowed their private garage.

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SOCIAL PROJECTS

They are another important pillar of the Project.

They may be developed for all ages of life: children, teenagers, adults, parenthood, senior citizens,

as well as the particular stage of life end in the case of incurable diseases.

CCHHIILLDDRREENN,, YYOOUUTTHH,, FFAAMMIILLYY Our intention and projects perspectives about small

children and parenthood will be defined together with

the inhabitants of the village of Montbrun and always

complementary to existing services and structures.

Practicallly, we consider the following :

- A small day-nursey

- A meeting place for children and parents

- A game library

- An initiative for helping families who are

temporarily undergoing difficulties

SSEENNIIOORR CCIITTIIZZEENNSS

We are planning the creation of a dozen social dwellings to be rented

by non-dependant elderly persons (the “Béguinage “). This

arrangement will enable them to feel less isolated. Each of them will

be the tenant of his/her own house, where one can receive relatives

or friends, and remain independent while participating in the

activities in common with all the dwellers of the eco-hamlet.

The Béguinage will be run by an association with a paid

manager, who will organize activities and transportation for

the residents and who will be the permanent link with life and

activities in the eco-hamlet and the village of Montbrun.

EENNDD OOFF LLIIFFEE :: "" TTHHEE TTHHRREESSHHOOLLDD ""

We would like to dedicate part of our work to a scheme for

accompanying in good conditions the end of life, an important

passage, which can affect different ages of life, with a project

for " A house for accompanying adults at the end of their life "

The objectives of this project are :

− To receive, in a human-sized house, in the ambiance of a family house, seven adults who

would be at the end of their life and could no longer live in their home, while not requiring

medical care in a hospital ; − to meet the needs and expectations of the residents by listening warmly and attentively to

them, bringing them some more bodily comfort and psychological and spiritual support,

and creative and artistic activities according to the wishes and rythm of each one of them ;

− to offer friends and families a necessary respite and distance and so alleviate the inevitable

work of separation ;

− to facilitate visits and the sharing of privileged moments with friends and family

(accommodation available on the premises).

Necessary medical care would be provided by doctors and nurses (in private practice), or by

services at home. They could be taken in charge on an individual basis, for a 24 hourly service, by a

team of well trained, motivated and competent professionals.

A team of volunteers would support the team of professionals. The eco-hamlet dwellers who

would willingly volunteer to participate would surely be called upon.

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Carrying out this project rests on the dimensions developed above and on a common wish for

brotherhood, enabling us to combine our efforts so that they should be a source of comfort and joy

for all of us.

The persons involved are aware of the obstacles which will not fail to arise on the way ; we see

them as opportunities to adapt the project and make it evolve in a manner open to the points of

view of all. This is a vast undertaking but it is within our capacities if we work together, and care to

achieve unity, in close collaboration between all those who will feel concerned.

MORE INFORMATION What is already available :

− in the village : a " Freinet " primary public

school , with teachers practising a more human

education ; − in Campagne sur Arize, 8 km away : a " Steiner"

primary school and collège (junior secondary)

(both private) ; − in Montesquieu Volvestre, 11 km away : a

public collège ; − in Saint Girons, 25 km away : a private collège,

a public collège and lycée (senior secondary,

two lycées providing technical education − in Saint Girons : a hospital

For information on the village, the village of Montbrun has written a very complete blog, Slides of the village, which can be consulted on the site :

http://www.montbrun-bocage.com/

to complete this presentation which includes a map of the eco-hamlet and of its situation relative

to the village, a broader idea of the project may be obtained by consulting − A link to a Google map (satellite view) :

https://maps.google.fr/maps/myplaces Montbrun-Bocage

Then, please, do

- contact us for more information - express your enthusiasm for the project - encourage and support us Write to us on : ecovillagemontbrun@gmail.com

The Project team " Eco-Hamlet Montbrun-Bocage "

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LOCATION

Motorway : 30 mn

Blagnac Airport : 1h

Toulouse : 1h

Carcassonne : 1h45

Perpignan : 2h 40

Biarritz : 3h

Barcelone : 3h45

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GENERAL MAP OF THE PROJECT

Création d'un Eco- Hameau intergénérationnel

'Los Pianos'

1 31 150 MONTBRUN - BOCAGE ESQUISSE IIAITRISE D'OEUVRE :

.. Christophe MONIER architecte d.p.l.g. -ECH : 1/ 1250•

31 450 ESPANES