Heritage and performance: insulating a Haussmann-era apartment

01Insulating a Haussmann-era apartment without sacrificing its mouldings

In Paris, many high-end Haussmann-era apartments now face a new requirement: improving their energy performance, in other words their energy performance rating (DPE, Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique).

Between thermal comfort, regulations and heritage value, one question comes up again and again: how do you insulate a Haussmann-era apartment without spoiling what gives it its charm?

02The dilemma of energy renovation through internal wall insulation

In many older buildings, external insulation is not an option, particularly for architectural reasons and because of the co-ownership rules. In Haussmannian buildings, this is self-evident: the historic façade must be preserved.

The most realistic solution therefore often remains internal insulation. But in a high-end Haussmann-era apartment, this immediately raises a major problem: adding insulation on the inside usually means thickening the walls and disturbing the existing mouldings, especially where the ceilings are adorned with historic cornices.

Improving comfort, yes. Sacrificing character, no.

03A bespoke response developed by ARDI Studio

On a project overseen by ARDI Studio, we were able to address this very issue.

The aim was twofold: to improve the property’s DPE rating and to preserve the apartment’s architectural identity. We therefore worked on a bespoke, craft-based solution, in close coordination with the contractors. The principle was to integrate the internal insulation in a carefully controlled way, while recreating the necessary junctions to measure so as to keep the harmony of the existing volumes and details.

Once the wall insulation was in place, a moulding strip was chosen to carry the existing mouldings through seamlessly.

04Restoring the spirit of the place, not just the walls

For ARDI Studio, success in heritage renovation is measured above all by the ability to preserve the soul of a place.

An old apartment should be able to gain thermal comfort without losing its identity and, in this particular case, while fully respecting its Haussmannian heritage.