In the emblematic Antigone district of Montpellier, residents experience stifling heat every summer. Designed without protection against the sun by Ricardo Bofill in the 1980s, these homes have become real furnaces. Tenants are desperately looking for solutions, while thermal renovations are underway to provide some relief from a situation that has become critical.
The impact of heat on daily life
With its 22 buildings in the style neoclassical unique, the Antigone district today houses social housing plagued by scorching heat in summer. In the middle of a scorching afternoon, Auda and Yade, two neighbors, sit under the protective shade of the plane trees. The laughter and cries of their children spring from the refreshing fountains, while the irresistible desire to join them in the water torments them. “It’s so hot here that you want to join them in the fountain,” says Auda with a sigh.
The ineffectiveness of current means
The tenants try as best they can to beat the heat. However, even with ceiling fans and mobile air conditioners, suffocation persists. The apartments become uninhabitable as soon as the sun rises, as Yade explains: “The sun heats our windows from six in the morning. The apartment is worse than an oven. » She adds, as she glances at her son playing in the water, that she is forced to go out to escape suffocation.
Architectural and heritage challenges
Despite incessant requests for the installation of solar protection, residents of these housing sites with remarkable heritage find themselves unable to modify the exterior appearance of the buildings. Gloria Benneian, heritage operations manager at ACM Habitat, specifies: “Ricardo Bofill wanted the golden number is visible on every window. Hence the absence of shutters.”
Towards a sustainable solution?
Faced with this impasse, thermal renovations appear to be a promising solution. The social housing provider has invested €4.5 million to install ventilation fans, thermal curtains, and replace the windows. Louis-Pierre Tonnel, Deputy Director of Heritage at ACM Habitat, indicates that these improvements should allow for a temperature drop of 3 to 5°C per apartment, while preserving the architectural prestige of the site.
Hopes for change: evolving legislation
Auda and Yade harbor a hope, shared by many residents of the neighborhood: the possible adoption of a cross-party “zero boiler housing” law. This legislative measure would aim to facilitate the installation of solar protection even in heritage areas most affected by the heat. As temperatures continue to rise, they dream of a daily life where living under the roof is no longer a nightmare. For those looking for tips to beat the heat in Montpellier, discover these five essential tips. Want to enjoy summer outdoors? Take a stroll around the five enchanting terraces or visit the cultural open-air café for a refreshing moment in the city. Stay informed about upcoming weather forecasts with the weather forecast for Montpellier and the surrounding area.