The unmissable Maison d’Adam, built at the end of the 15th century, is affected until the summer of 2024 by a major renovation project. The Angevins and tourists will be able to rediscover next year a medieval building with a somewhat modified appearance.
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Most of the work began four months ago – © Angers.Villactu.fr
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Most of the work began in mid-January – © Angers.Villactu.fr
Built at the very end of the 15th century, the Maison d’Adam is an emblematic monument of the city of Angers which attracts many tourists every year. Over time, bad weather has weakened the facades and the roof, with numerous leaks on the roof and the joinery.
After several years of preparation, Soclova, owner of the building since last year, has launched a major project aimed at completely restoring the Maison d’Adam. The first phase began in mid-January. At first, it is a question of removing the roof in order to completely redo it, to remove the fillings of the wooden sides and the frames.
« About twenty years ago, pathologies were detected on the wood. Work had been carried out to solidify them, in particular with the use of a resin which ultimately did a lot of damage to the wood. Now is the time to intervene “, explains Séverine Jeanneau, heritage architect within the Angevin company Archi Trav
As part of this work, the aesthetics of the Maison d’Adam will change slightly. A clearing of slates will be placed on the tip of the gable of the Place Sainte-Croix facade in order to protect the building from bad weather.
« It should be remembered that the Maison d’Adam has undergone multiple aesthetic transformations throughout its history. “, emphasizes Astrid Mallet, director of heritage and development at Soclova.
The second phase of the work, which will be completed in the summer of 2024, will concern the restoration of the facades, the removal of all the existing fillings, the restoration of the half-timbered facades with the elimination of resins from past restorations and the restoration of the fillings according to a composition capable of ensuring the good sealing of these facades once restored.
A change will be particularly visible for the Angevins. This is the color of the timber sections which will change. ” The paints will be stripped. It is a very tedious job which will also allow us to know if we can keep the wood. The tint will return to its original color, rather ocher, a little more colorful », adds Séverine Jeanneau.
Other elements of the House of Adam could find colors. The many sculptures visible on the facades will also be renovated. On this occasion, the architects and Soclova proposed to the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) to restore color to the sculptures.
« During the studies, we found that the sculptures were polychrome. Our wish is to add touches of color to the Maison d’Adam in order to highlight them. The subject is on the table “says Séverine Jeanneau.
Better insulation
The Maison d’Adam houses the Maison des artisans on the ground floor. The shop remains open throughout the works. On the floors, the Soclova has six apartments, from T2 to T4, which will be rented again in 2024. This major work will be an opportunity to carry out the renovation of the apartments and improve the insulation. Thus, new joinery with exterior diamond-shaped stained glass panels and interior double glazing will replace the existing frames which were no longer watertight and airtight.
The works will cost 3.5 million euros to Soclova, which benefits from a subsidy of 614,296 euros from the State as part of the France Recovery Plan.
