Villefranche de Lourages. The new eco-friendly spaces in Port Lauragais

Since 1984 in the Highway District of Port Lauragais via the Haute-Garonne House, last December the District Council launched the Rehabilitation of the Discovery District and the Local Produce Store. This work has been going on since the winter season and will be completed in a few weeks before the start of the summer season leading to an influx of road trips. The signing of its third sub-franchise with Vinci Autoroutes allows the management to operate these promotional, tourist and commercial spaces until 2035. This project involves the reconfiguration of the site with the redevelopment of the interior spaces of the store called “comptoir du Lauragais” and the updated museum space around 4 themes: Canal du Midi, Wind and Bastille And local products from Lauragais. Project management is entrusted to Harter Architecture and museography to Eric Nogues.

Environmentally friendly approach

The renovation of these buildings will be carried out within the framework of an environmentally responsible approach. Very concretely, the materials used will be energy efficient thanks to the extensive use of wood of certified local production. The entire facade system, exterior furniture and interior commercial fixtures will be made of wood. The heat pump with submerged sensors will make it possible to use the renewable energy potential of the site (wind, solar, Canal du Midi using calories in winter and its water being cooler than air in summer). The Discovery Zone is also part of this approach to raising awareness of environmental protection and ecological transformation. This venue will be freely accessible and air-conditioned for all audiences, subject to the criteria of the Tourism and Disability label. A fast food display will complement this system thanks to the establishment in the front yard of the shop and 24 hour service by means of a vending machine. This rehabilitation project in its entirety (studies and works) represents a budget of 1.7 million euros.