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There are architects who build. And then there are architects who listen first.

Amelia Tavella belongs to the second category. Before placing anything, she examines. She reads a site like one reads a soil, searches for layers, traces, what has lived there before. Only then does the project begin.

The jury of the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture 2026 rewarded her for exactly that: an architecture they described as "emotional, sensual, and organic," capable of reconciling heritage and sustainability without brutalizing either. The theme of this edition was "Architecture Is Transformation." It's hard to find a more fitting laureate.

We interviewed her.

Forty square kilometers of inland water, seventy-seven kilometers of coastline, exceptional biodiversity, and unabated real estate pressure. The Bassin d'Arcachon is one of the French territories where the tension between residential attractiveness and environmental preservation is most strongly felt. This equation makes the question of sustainable real estate particularly central, at a time when the climate calendar is tightening and coastal erosion is becoming a visible reality. Here is an overview of the sustainable real estate market in Arcachon for 2026.

Corsica occupies a unique place in the French real estate landscape. A mountain-island with preserved natural resources, subjected to demanding Mediterranean climate and increasing tourist pressure, it has been developing a sustainable real estate market for a few years, still confidential but of remarkable quality. Vernacular stone architecture, exemplary heritage rehabilitation initiatives, necessary water and energy autonomy: the conditions are met to make Corsica an emerging reference in Mediterranean ecological real estate. Here is a 2026 overview.

The passive house has become one of the most demanding standards in sustainable real estate in just a few years. Stemming from a German protocol developed in the 1990s, it is now recognized as a benchmark for buyers looking to combine quality of life, energy independence, and long-term asset value. This guide examines what a passive house really is, how much it costs, and where to find one in France in 2026.

Created in 1962 at the initiative of André Malraux, then Minister of Culture, the law bearing his name is one of the most powerful tax schemes in the French real estate market. Designed to encourage the restoration of historic centers, it now targets heavily taxed taxpayers who wish to combine heritage commitment and tax optimization. Here's what you need to know about the scheme in 2026.

Since its reform in 2021, the Energy Performance Certificate has evolved from an indicative document to a real compass for the French real estate market. By 2026, owning a property classified as A or B is no longer just an ecological argument: it has become a determining asset in terms of heritage. This guide provides an overview of this paradigm shift and what it means for buyers.

The Parisian real estate market is made up of over 80% of buildings constructed before 1948. Haussmann-style, suburban, Art Deco, or from the 1930s - each building has its own character, but also its limitations in terms of energy performance. With the combined impact of the Climate and Resilience Law, rising energy costs, and the value placed on the Energy Performance Certificate (DPE), sustainable renovation has become a major issue for Parisian property owners. Here's what you need to know before getting started.

Provence offers a naturally conducive environment for sustainable real estate. Its climate, local materials, Mediterranean architectural tradition, and exceptional built heritage make up an ecosystem where sustainability is not a recent import but an ancient logic, simply brought up to date. Here is a 2026 overview of the Provençal market.

At a time when the real estate sector is redefining its landmarks between land sobriety, rehabilitation, and ecological transition, sustainable architecture offers a decisive reading grid: one that listens to a place before modifying it.

At Sustainable Real Estate, sustainability is not only about eco-friendly construction, ecological materials, or energy performance. It also begins with a simple fact: the most responsible building is often one that already exists.

Why Jeanbrun Scheme replaces Pinel

The end of the Pinel scheme on December 31, 2024, created a real break for new real estate. To relaunch rental investment and develop the rental real estate market sustainably while respecting the environment, the government introduces the Jeanbrun scheme, or private lessor status, through the 2026 finance law.

With eligible properties in both new and old buildings, and no geographical restrictions, unlike its predecessor, the Jeanbrun scheme does not offer one-time tax exemption but a clear and sustainable mechanism: tax depreciation of real estate properties. While providing housing for tenants, investors can deduct up to 80% of the property value from their taxable rents, spread over 9 years.

As the real estate sector undergoes an unprecedented transformation, PropTech emerges as a crucial driver of innovation. PropTech (Property Technology) encompasses all technologies that are reshaping the way buildings are designed, managed, sold, or used. Digital solutions, connected devices, artificial intelligence, data exploitation: these are tools aimed at making real estate more efficient and sustainable. It is in this context of excitement that the RENT, Real Estate & New Technologies exhibition was held on November 5 and 6, 2025, in Paris, providing a captivating glimpse of the trends and innovations reshaping the future of real estate. We were there.

Buildings are among the largest energy consumers in the world, especially for heating, air conditioning, and lighting. At the same time, solar energy is the most abundant renewable resource we have. Faced with the climate and energy crisis, architecture can no longer afford to be passive. Space on urban rooftops is limited, making photovoltaic facades essential for modernizing buildings. What if a building's envelope could do more? What if it could move, think, and react to its environment—much like nature does?

An accolade that rewards chefs committed to the planet. Today's gastronomy goes beyond the perfection of dishes: it now extends to preserving the planet. In recent years, the greatest chefs are not only judged on the finesse of a sauce or the precision of a cooking, but also on the environmental impact of their cuisine. It is in this spirit that the Michelin Guide created the Green Star in 2020, an accolade that honors eco-responsible restaurants committed to sustainable, local, and respectful of all living creatures practices.

Adopted on August 21, 2021, the Climate and Resilience Law revolves around five pillars covering food, consumption, and housing. Four years after its enactment, it now deeply structures the management of French condominiums. Mandatory multi-year work plan, work fund, progressive ban on renting energy-draining properties: an overview of what condominium owners need to know in 2026.

Since the end of 2023, the real estate market has experienced a significant slowdown. The combination of higher interest rates, stricter credit conditions, and a tense economic climate has slowed down acquisitions. For you, this is the perfect opportunity.

The housing of tomorrow cannot be conceived independently of the surrounding modes of transportation. A truly sustainable property is not only about good thermal insulation, green roofs, or solar panels. It is also a living space that is easily accessible, promotes low-carbon transportation, and is part of a soft mobility dynamic.

An eco-district is an urban development project aiming to integrate sustainable development objectives (social, economic, and environmental) and reduce its ecological footprint.

Among all eco-friendly construction certifications, BREEAM stands out as the Gold standard and is highly respected for being very comprehensive.

The RE 2020 (Environmental Regulation 2020) defines the maximum energy consumption of new buildings with the aim of reducing their overall environmental impact by more than 30% by 2030.

Because every new year brings its share of brand new decrees, it is necessary to follow and adapt. Whether you are a professional or an individual.

2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year, even a decisive one, in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.