From energy class F to A: Paris family home transformed into energy-efficient and comfortable living space
With a national target of 700,000 home renovations per year by 20501 compared to an actual renovation rate of only 0.2%2, France needs to accelerate the renovation of residential buildings.
In France, attic conversions hold significant potential. Over 6 million houses have attics ready to be converted, offering an opportunity to create new living spaces without expanding the building footprint, while also improving energy performance and resilience to heatwaves.
As proof of the Living Places concept in renovation, the challenge was to convert an old house with an unused attic into a larger, healthier, more sustainable and energy-efficient living space. In collaboration with the family, the VELUX Group carried out a holistic renovation and attic conversion project based on the Living Places principles in Morangis, on the outskirts of Paris.
The result is amazing. By applying a holistic approach to renovations, we can transform hidden spaces to be healthy with a 90 percent reduction in overheating, affordable with energy class improved from F to A and sustainable as the carbon payback time is 10 years. Living Attic is the proof of concept to be scaled in France and beyond.
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From energy class F to A and 35 m² of new usable attic space
Through a holistic renovation approach, the home went from energy class F to A, which translates to a 66% improvement in energy performance.
The house was expanded with 35 m² of usable attic space. As measured by project partner Artelia, thermal comfort has significantly improved, with indoor temperatures up to 8°C lower than outdoor temperatures during summer heatwaves. In addition, natural and automated ventilation through window openings helps reduce indoor temperatures by 3.5°C at night. Indoor air quality has also improved: a mechanical ventilation system with air supply has been installed, complemented by smart air renewal through automated window openings.
We expect two-thirds of all French homes to be exposed to heatwaves by 2030 and nearly 90% of dwellings are not equipped to face them, often due to insufficient insulation, which means that these homes will not only be too hot in the summer but also too cold during winter. Renovation is an essential solution to address heatwaves. The Living Attic project shows that intelligent attic conversion is an effective way to regulate indoor temperatures and prevent overheating.
A strategy for optimal summer comfort
The renovation approach is based on the “limit, delay, evacuate” strategy for optimal summer comfort. To limit heat buildup in the attic, the roof was insulated and automated VELUX solar protections were installed on the roof windows. To delay the heat peak, dense, high-inertia solutions were used under the roof slopes. To evacuate heat from the attic and the rest of the house, the automatic opening of roof windows and a living room window was programmed.
In the rest of the house, facades were insulated from the outside, old double-glazed windows were replaced, and their solar protections were preserved. Heating and ventilation systems were also renewed.
About the Living Places principles
The Living Places principles were applied throughout the entirety of the project, ensuring the prioritisation of people, planet, and long-term resilience while remaining practical and affordable. Building on the Living Places concept, which was ideated and developed by VELUX in partnership with Artelia and EFFEKT Architects, the project explores how renovation can deliver healthier indoor environments, lower emissions, and a smarter use of existing space.
Project partners
Project partners include La Maison des Travaux, Mon Accompagnateur Rénov, the Municipality of Morangis, and Artelia engineers.
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Sources:
1 https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/politiques-publiques/3e-strategie-nationale-bas-carbone-snbc-3
2 https://building-stock-observatory.energy.ec.europa.eu/database/
About the VELUX Group
VELUX roof windows have been bringing daylight and fresh air into peoples’ homes around the world for more than 80 years, creating better living environments. We offer a range of products including roof windows and modular skylights, decorative blinds, sun screening products, and roller shutters, as well as installation and smart home solutions. They help create bright, healthy, and energy-efficient places for people who live, work, learn, and play under the roof. We work globally – with sales and manufacturing operations in 37 countries and around 12,000 employees worldwide. The VELUX Group is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company owned by the Villum Foundation and members of the Kann Rasmussen family. In 2024, the VELUX Group had a total revenue of EUR 2.96 billion while VKR Holding had a total revenue of EUR 3.87 billion. The same year, the Villum Foundation and the VELUX FOUNDATION donated a total of EUR 169 million in charitable grants.
For more information about the VELUX Group, visit velux.com.