The Exposition's All-Wood Village

I I/ILLABOIS International, a speU cial all-wood village of ll7 homes by seven different builders was a spectacular addition to Batibois International. $ee accompanying story).

Initiated by a consortium of industry and government agencies, it was built specifically to demonstrate the possibilities of wood frame construction, French and overseas construction systems using wood plus showing the unique role wood can play in energy-saving techniques. Villabois, five minutes from the main Batibois exposition, had seven model homes open for show visitors who rode shuttle buses over to see the village. It is believed to be the only one of its kind in Europe. Villabois translates roughly as Village of Wood.

While at first glance similar to American homes, closer inspection showed many very different approaches to solving the problems faced by builders of U.S. stick built tract homes. Siding ranged from rough sawn board and batten, to plywood panels, to what at first appeared brick but turned out to be individual terra cotta tiles, held in place by hidden horizontal aluminum runners. All were two stories.

The homes varied in square footage, the largest being approximately 1750 sq. ft. All were attached units, from three to ten units in offset rows. While featuring wall to wall carpet, the balance of the homes were in bare bones style, quite unlike lushly furnished and decorated American models. The garage roof in one unit had a tar paper like substance stretched on a wood truss (no roof sheathing), exposed studs and bare ground floor.

The various sidings had been used imaginatively to give a bright new look to a home shape that was more traditional than modern. Colors used were bold and in harmonv with the sidings and surroundings. Several of the front picture windows featured a roll down metal awning to completely cover the opening, much like city stores in rough districts.

Interiors included two to three small bedrooms, steep stairs, no screens on windows or doors and, usually, only a tub and a toilet (not always in the same room) for the entire house.

Kitchens were the most different. The only equipment was sink, stove and, exposed in the corner, the water heater. No cabinets, no pantrys, no storage cupboards and no refrigerator. All are after market items supplied by dealers, though some builders do offer them as an extra cost option.

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