Feature six pilings on which it is perching

Difficult to measure the extent of the phenomenon. But judging by the number of sites and the architect firms that offer to see vested instead in the small houses in Castorama, Leroy Merlin, it is a real trend. Between the mobile home which life does not exceed that of an automobile and construction in "hard", habitat light kit to mount yourself or already assembled and ready to land in the garden, is a real buzz. Because, provided they remain within the limit of 20 square meters, no need to permit to build a simple prior declaration of work is sufficient.

"It is at the crossroads of several carrier current: the popular Habitat wood, the development of forms of alternative or unusual camping (yurts, cabins in the trees) and aspirations to sustainable development", summarizes Jérôme Leblanc, who bought it y a year, the company Ballario & sons. Based in Saint-Juéry, near Albi, in the Tarn, the SMEs with 60 specialist employees of the wood component has been pioneer in France launching in 1995 in the cottage. This diversification now represents two thirds of its activity.

"Living nature otherwise".

Exhibit in addition to isolation or blow when the House is full, Xavier de Courcy, father of seven children, often dreamed in. Architect associated with a Parisian firm, he jumped way by creating Cocoun, the name of its start-up which is also his first small house model. Solid wood, pledge better thermal performance and voice, it combines traditional construction log the use of industrial prefabricated panels. Each Cocoun is assembled in the workshop by artisans companions of the Tower of France, and then mounted the customer in a day.

Feature: six pilings on which it is perching. Inspired by the palombières, this protection against small animals is also "a new way of living nature". No need of Earth or concrete: pilings are fixed to the ground by simple screw, minimizing the impact on the ground. Equipped with double-glazed window and ecological amenities (dry toilets, shower pump), and labeled high environmental quality (HQE), Cocoun SURFs on the Green trend. Its price, from roughly 38,000 euros (1.900 euros per square metre), the range without question in the category "premium".

For an equivalent amount, Ikos offers its Annexes Design to flat roof style is resolutely contemporary. The wide range of proposed definitions (plain or painted wood, aspect metal) allows these minimalist "extensions" to blend in an urban landscape or in a picturesque setting. After twenty years in the finance and industry, Christophe Lepee launched his company a year ago, after finding "that there was a place to take on the segment of habitat light contemporary style". Annexes Ikos target affluent individuals but also and especially the new forms of open air hotel, type "eco lodge. A common point with Cocoun.

3,000 units per year

It must be said that this "niche" was successful in Ballario, which carries out the bulk of its business cabins with Parks Recreation and country cottages. Jérôme Leblanc estimated 3,000 units per year, the French market of these small houses in wood, "regular progression", and which he believes hold 10. The latest addition to its collection, the Eco Nature of 23 square metres, cottage delivered equipped and mounted to 23,000 euros TTC (excluding slab concrete).

Ludovic André, Manager of RevonsBois, a constructor of frame wood of the Gers, saw individuals market take off for four years. "The application is moved, Garden shelter, it evolved into the extra room, garage or Office for artisans and autoentrepreneurs.". Established in Marciac, his company sells mainly cottages Kit: from 300 euros per metre square (off-floor) that can mount up to 1.200 euros if load of editing (without development). Although close, the Landes forest is for him only a marginal source of supply. "We use pine to the floors." "For the construction, nothing beats the Northern, more resistant wood because they grow more slowly," he said.

"Market mature".

Operating for two years in France, Gardena House will provides with its Finnish parent. The commercial Director of the French subsidiary, Anas Zine fact state of its sales of more than 200 growth this year. With a rich catalogue of 75 references, Gardena displays tight price: 5.000 EUR for the cottage Davon (25 square metres). Not far away positioning of Castorama, which launched in France the shelter garden ready to mount (120,000 units sold each year). "After a decade, the market is now mature," says the Director of products for the garden of Castorama, Geoffrey Lavielle. Also, has the sign of DIY expanded its offerings. Bestseller of the year: the "pool house" with shower!

Photo credits: Dr. Dr. resolutely contemporary Style to the Design schedule of Ikos (above) against hut perched on stilts of Cocoun model.