The International Timber Construction Forum took centre stage in Paris from Wednesday, February 26 to Friday, February 28, drawing global attention to the future of sustainable building. This year marked a historic milestone as the Monaco made its debut at this prestigious showcase, unveiling a striking model of the Villa Carmelha—now rebranded as “A Fighera”—to an audience of industry leaders and innovators beneath the iconic dome of the Grand Palais.
This groundbreaking project, a first of its kind in Europe, showcased Monaco’s cutting-edge expertise in eco-friendly construction, spotlighting the principality’s BD2M label as a beacon of sustainable innovation. The villa’s design and execution stood out as a testament to environmentally conscious architecture, blending visionary creativity with meticulous craftsmanship.
Representing Monaco’s achievement were key figures behind the project: Adrien Le Bret, Director of Public Works for the Princely Government; Jean-François Riehl, Deputy Chairman of the Monaco-based roofing company Entreprise Monégasque de Couverture; Gabriel Viora, an ESTP engineer and architect trained at Grenoble’s School of Architecture, who founded the Viora firm; and Wilfrid Bellecour, an architect with credentials from the University of Houston and founder of Studio Bellecour. Together, they took to the forum to share the pioneering techniques that shaped “A Fighera” with industry professionals and international media. Their presentations delved into the environmental considerations, structural ingenuity, and methodological breakthroughs that defined the villa’s journey from concept to completion.
For Monaco, the event was more than just an exhibition—it was a chance to put its green ambitions on the world stage, proving that sustainability and sophistication can go hand in hand.
