property report
11 Cezethe Cévennes, France 🇫🇷

• Local connections: typically 1h15 to Nimes with 35mins regular train from Nimes centre to the big town of Alès, then 45mins bus (12/4/5/6pm); from 2029 20mins train to the local town then 10mins drive, and from 2031 30mins train (1h15) to the door
• Rail
• Paris just 3h to Nimes but with changes can become 7h total to the door; last departure currently midday, in future could be 2:45pm; with pickup or if overnighting (4h30 trains) with last departure 7:30pm arriving 10pm; with pickup 4pm departure arriving 9pm
• Barcelona just 4h to Nimes, but only 9:30am with connection for 5pm arrival (6h+; reducing 2030, again 2034 and again when the high speed line is fully complete); with pickup (5h trains) last 3pm, if overnighting last 4:30pm
• the interesting overnight stop is Nimes; once the railway reopens there should be a later train possibly only to the local small town in which case pickup would be offered from there (10mins)
• Air
• Nimes: 1h15 drive / 30mins bus; limited Ryanair, year round to Stansted, Brussels, plus seasonal to Luton, Dublin, Porto and Morocco
• Marseille: 1h15 train and 10min bus; major lowcost hub covering Poland, Portugal, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, …
• Montpellier: 2h drive / +2h bus and train; service to Lisbon
• Carcassonne +2h30 bus and train; extensive Ryanir inc Portugal
• Coach: from Barcelona, cost effective and time efficient, allowing late arrivals into Barcelona if you don't mind a night coach, albeit arriving a bit early at 5am, first train at 6am, but the local bus is not until 9am thus lots of killing time.

• Saturday for arrivals with the main family meal that night welcoming and introducing new arrivals†
• alternating Sundays
• a daytrip to somewhere further away; would emphasise exploring attractions and culture (more sights less activities), such the Pont du Gard (giant roman aqueduct), the city of Nimes (roman arena), etc.; could be swapped with Saturday
• new arrivals will generally have a quiet day settling in and won't get to participate in the daytrip as will have been planned the week before, favouring those already staying, unless there's free spaces, in any case it's alternating weeks
• a relaxed day with skill share / talk and lunch out
• Monday morning the planning meeting for the upcoming week over (an early) family breakfast
• an activity e.g. hike and splash to the gorges, and would also allow those not wanting to hike or for a shorter one, to be dropped off for swimming or other activities (kayak, lunch in town); either Saturdays after Les Vans market for the gorges, Genholac for up the mountain, or Sundays after Ales market optionally as a daytrip going towards the other bit of the Cevennes around Anduze or up the mountain, else summer markets at Pont d'Arc, Lablachère; in summer could instead start later and end with a stop and supper at a night market
• at least every other day: power hike or mountain bike from door; alternating with a short drive to other locations and at different times
• 4 weekly family meals at the house: saturday supper with new arrivals, mon breakfast, tues lunch after morning market, friday lunch for goodbyes (might be swapped to thurs supper per schedules)
• at least one restaurant outing alternating between casual such as before or after a hike, and dressing up for a good restaurant (there's 5 Michelin starred in 30mins drive)
• 2 weekly shopping trips, twice to local market and supermarkets (Tues @Ambroix, Fri @Ambroix organic, Thurs @Besseges); sometimes including coffee or lunch out; every few weeks would swap to or also do another market (notably Sun @Ales; Sat @Uzes or Genholac for variation)
• movie night, game night depending upon whom is interested
• if there's somebody to lead, yoga in the garden or on the river bank
• other random actvities as proposed whether ad-hoc such as badminton in the garden, tennis nearby, or planned such as horse riding, cave visits, etc.
• many opportunities to pop-out for coffee, pastries, lunch — with whomever is around

†Whilst the fixed moving day would be Saturday, those unable to arrive in time for the family supper that day, would instead be able to arrive on Friday the day before, staying in a pod for the extra night(s) as needed.

Shopping would be to either of 2 neigbouring little towns twice a week; the village is however reasonably presentable, has the basics, and is also fine for a stroll. In addition next day delivery is available from 2 supermarkets.

Events

In June in Besseges, a small DJ/electronic festival, and in Aug a 3-day Funk festival. In the summer there's many night markets and a few other minor distractions.

It is widely acknowledged in research and from casual observation that less formal non-corporate working environments are much preferred, despite ergonomic drawbacks. Our space planning therefore provides both ergonomic and casual seating with informal surroundings, yet also addressing multiple moods.

The layout of the 1st floor lounge-coworking and kitchen-dining specifically allows those preferring a more casual environment (chatter, background music) to choose either ergonomic (desk and chair) or casual (sofas), whilst avoiding the not uncommon issue of people choosing to work with laptop stands from the dining table (even when there's ergo desks, but they're usually only in a quieter / formal space). Given the size of the dining table even this could be used but is undesireable. Those eating would not be isolated with openings between tyhe two rooms for communication and awareness, yet still also adequately separating activities.

The completely separated focus-coworking and library space permits quiet work, with no through foot traffic, and the callroom on another floor.

North rooms briefly get morning sunrise, top floor has partial outlook over trees to hillside. South afternoon sun, and on top floor having outlook over railway.

The kitchen is of course the hub of the house, interconnecting with the lounge having a small coworking table. To get to stairs and rooms the focus coworking and kitchen are entirely bypassed, but the lounge/coworking must be traversed; rooms have direct access to the rear courtyard, atrium, cave and sauna.

Whilst the rail track being so close at the back might be considered instrusive, it should not be, services will pass only 12x daily on new soldered rails with modern units, and the stop is only 300m away thus half the services will be coasting. And in any case having a train go by makes one feel better connected to the world. Inside the house it should be unnoticeable as the 1st floor is well below the track embankment and workspace completely cut off from it, so only minorly noticable from bedrooms with the morning service.

Improvements / Variants

• If the property border with the neighbour is not the weird zigzag line through the middle of the rear cave and courtyard terrace, then the cave could be as much as 20m2 larger, and would be suitable for an additional space such as a gym, could possibly have a light well.
• No common WCs, therefore everyone will have to use their own, and for those on the top floor this is quite a journey from the ground floor (3 flights of stairs, a room crossing, plus for some also a corridor). Will significantly increase foot traffic in the stairwell. A WC could potentially be added in place of the callroom, with that being moved further into the atrium, however its waste will cross the passage but the floor of the atrium could be raised with decking, nontheless not insignificant effort for just one WC. If implemented it would also be possible to place a washing machine in the storage space next to it, however this would need to be well isolated from the adjacent callroom.
• to rectify the limited indoor sunlight, the plain room on the top floor (left of staircase) could become a library; the room would then get winter sun though would need a new bigger window of french door; this could be done anytime before the ensuite is installed; the missing room could be moved to the end of the kitchen opening off the lounge and would become a plus room, but more likely the room would simply be lost as the kitchen would have to be planned with the room from the start
• the front balcony could gain steps down, or even a ramp to the garden bypassing the interior stairs for direct access, also to the laundry space

It is expected that the average stay will be one month, resulting in 2–3 changeovers per week which is easily manageable. Initially short stays would be accepted without restriction, ultimately this would be reduced to only 1 room and pods.

The founder would be present essentially full-time during the initial phases (2 years) until adequate operations are established when he would stay part time to ensure staff training during changeover, or to fill-in when short. The founder's room is retained and is not included in earnings.

Minimum stay of 2 weeks with fixed arrival and departure days, avoiding hard-to-fill availability gaps whilst maximising occupancy. Alternate arrival and departure days would be permitted with temporary stay in a pod. Buses do not operate Sundays, therefore until the railway reopens changeover days would be Fridays or Saturdays (choice at booking; when a gap is created it will be used to facilitate cleaning scheduling, however not strictly necessary as with an average stay of 4 weeks only 2 rooms per week will need cleaning).

Surplus rooms and pods may be offered as free accommodation in the form of a residency programme, giving talks, etc.

Building

The building facade is ideal for a tasteful mural, and an artist will be invited.

The vaulted cielings will probably be stripped to show their colour, under which IR heating panels and lighting will be hung, along with fans.

The new stairwell will become a feature though may take time to finish and seal with glass.

Most cabinetry will be bespoke, this optimises their function for frequent use and easy maintenance whilst also reducing costs.

Aluminium skirting will be used throughout for its resistance to scuffing, easy fitting and cost-effectiveness, plus the ability to incorporate strip lighting in places.

Kitchen-dining

A bespoke fitted banquette along the wall with a 4m+ dining table and chairs along the other side. Accacia worktops shelving.

1x dishwasher (adequate). 3x fridges (1 with freezer). Storage on shelving with 2–3 baskets available per person, plus a plastic tray for the fridge. Simple reliable equipment such as stainless steel. Ultimately tomette flooring (red hexagon clay tiles); provisionally an ugly hotchpotch a cement patched tiles.

6 hobs, 4 grouped together, with workspace around each and access to 2 sinks. Food and general waste built into worktops, recycling/packaging bins.

Lounge

Would use both convection heating on low which would thus also cover the kitchen, plus IR panels, ambient heat will transfer from the lounge as the door will generally be open. A circulation system could bring warmer air from the roof down.

A wood stove for winter ambience. Would not accommodate everyone somewhat tightly on sofas and armchairs around the wall, or more comfortably with beanbags as well, easily arranged for films on a large TV screen with surround sound. Enough open space for games on the floor and could also be used as a party room for some dancing, which being at the top end of the building away from most bedrooms on the opposite side would not be intrusive, same for the workspace. Outer walls will be insulated on the inside but only with thin woodfibre as not used throughout the day, for the same reason only double not triple glazing will be specified.

Focus workspace

Coworking desks giving ~1.2m per person, having simple adjustable chairs, plus many built-in USB-C (PD) sockets so adapters don't need to be dragged around nor clutter the place. Some standing desks will be possible. Some plants.

Should ultimately become wood flooring for ease of chair movement, however likely to be divided into both parquet for the far section and sisal for the first library section.

A wood stove could be added for winter ambience with chimney traversing the kitchen.

Bedrooms

All rooms will have heavy doors with airtight seals, and doubled plasterboard on both partition sides for isolation, and seagrass floors.

The three premium rooms (Plush and Prime) suitable for couples, having bathrooms separating the adjacent rooms from each other, thus very well isolated. They will have decorative items and higher quality fittings, plus better mattresses.

Mattresses will be pocket sprung with a hygenic wool-felt topper to enhance comfort and breathability. A deeper more plush version may be requested if a softer bed is preferred.

South rooms will be equipped with roller shutters.

Bathrooms

Ensuites have a sliding door minimising obstruction in small rooms, for the premium rooms this will be internal to the partition with seals, the non-premium. Sink in front of the door, with shower and toilet to left and right. 90cm deep, larger in Prime and Plush units.

WCs will be equipped with a bidet nozzle/douche. Rooms will be grouped to share a water tank, boosted with instant heating elements, providing instant hot water plus coverage in case someone uses all the tank. Room allocations will be made to maximise use.

The shared bathrooms are completely separated, and 1 has a bath plus window.

Ambient environment

The cave will have small surround speakers and a subwoofer on a proper audio system (no silly home assistant speakers) also having speakers in the lounge and kitchen, allowing lively gatherings across the ground floor and onto the patio. A film could be being screened or lively game take place in the lounge and one would still able to work in the focus space or read quietly in the library.

It's good to have a healthy environment, and desireable to reduce exposure to microplastics (artficial fibres), VOCs (foam mattresses), artificial perfumes, electrosmog, etc. Simple steps can be taken even with budgetary constraints, such as using natural materials for flooring, natural mattresses (keeping a few foam ones for those with problems), wool duvets and blankets, and of course natural cleaning products.

Gentle lighting also has impact. Whilst office chairs could be an exception, they and sofas should be possible to easily re-cover with natural fabrics.

Tech

A professional system with multiple WiFi hotspots running on a dedicated power-over-ethernet backbone, using low power to reduce interference (and electrosmog). You'll be able to seamlessly roam around without loosing a connection or dropping a videocall. Somebody streaming video won't impact workspace bandwidth, plus the at-desk USB-C power will include an ethernet connection thus in most cases laptop users will be on a seamless wired connection without even being aware.

Internet connection as fibre.

We prefer local face to face interaction and as such activities and outings will be planned and written up on boards, however we shall also use a chat app to ensure everyone gets last-minute gathering and household notifications.

Heating and cooling

The house will be entirely electric except for 2 wood stoves mainly for ambience, however attempts will be made to reduce resource use and consumption.

During low seasons, convection heaters will provide a base ambient temperature, whilst radiant infrared panels will be used to boost this in dedicated positions. Bedrooms will only have convection, and bathrooms infrared.