The stay

If you want to take it even further, then this trip is for you. Integrating a building in its ecosystem doesn’t just mean not polluting; it also means taking into account animals, plants and all the elements that make up the environment of a house!

Creating a bioclimactic home can include, for example, adapting the building to the climate and environment, and making the home energy efficient by maximizing the contribution of nature while limiting losses. A building that respects these principles can therefore both reduce the need to heat in winter and maintain a comfortable temperature in the summer without using air conditioning. Living materials create a better airflow with the outside, regulate temperature, and protect inhabitants from interior or exterior electromagnetic pollutants. Along with other advancements, especially in the shapes and organization of buildings, these many concepts will allow you to develop homes that are both pleasing to their inhabitants and more respectful of the environment than previous solutions.

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Your mission is to come up with new concepts for this architecture of the future and present them to the Centers for Scientific Living, which are at your complete disposal to conduct experiments for your research.

With the other campers, you can focus on a project that’s both impressive and original. For example, you can outline what could become an immense wood-and-glass arch to cover a Center in a few years; or even an alternative plan for a four-star hotel in the heart of nature, to truly make it a part of energy and architectural change. The only limit to your projects is your imagination.

The Centers for Scientific Living have long benefited from a wonderful architectural project that aims to, for example, almost fully cover a Center with an arch, or propose ultra-welcoming buildings that would be partly underground yet still have a stunning view of the valley. Even if these projects seem impressive, we want to offer youths the chance to decide which forms and techniques we’ll use, which will be implemented by architecture professionals. While this kind of veranda will protect the building from the cold on the outside, its windows will allow us to use the energy of the sun by retaining the heat it produces. Additionally, this kind of building would allow us to turn the terraces, which are currently on the roof, into new activity rooms. Around another Center, the veranda could be used for pedestrian walkways sheltered from rain or snow, but that are in contact with nature. And the benefits don’t stop there! You and your friends can study these many parameters side by side with professional architects!

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Bioclimactic architecture is an especially interesting field of research about energy efficiency and integrating habitations into their environment. You’ll become one of the innovators who play an essential role in the future of the environment and architecture!

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF ECOLOGIS CAMPS?

These camps are designed for those passionate about architecture. Regardless of which level the participant is at, the camps cater to all abilities. These camps will cover the skills needed to help build the homes of the future. Topics will include home automation and construction materials that are currently used to build traditional or ecological homes.

In the ECOLOGIS camps, the participants will learn new home-building designs that will complement traditional practices. Ecology will be used to maximize the economics of a home. Energy saving will be the top priority. This could mean creating a rooftop garden, installing an automated greenhouse, or researching material that could capture solar energy. All this and more will be covered in the camps, which are open to all ages.

Engineering skills, coupled with our natural senses, allow great advancements in architecture. This is why you will be given ample time to explore the myriad possibilities that habitats in the mountains have to offer, even though they are subject to climatic challenges specific to their location. Placed in the heart of the Valais Vacation Camp
Valais
Switzerland Every year the NGO Objectif Sciences International offers several science camps in Valais, Switzerland, on different themes (fauna & flora, architecture, palaeontology, geology, drones...) You will find, at the following link, more information about our nature camps. Suisse mountain range, we will study structures found at the crossroads of various ecosystems such as mountain crests, plateaus and cliffs, considered by scientists to be natural heritage sites.

Whether it’s in the structures themselves or on the surrounding terrain, you will have the chance to conceive and to construct your own eco-friendly, automated architectural projects! Each camp, which has a state-of-the-art architectural project, gives you the opportunity to learn lots of interesting, practical things!

A professional project aimed at young people!

The goal of the architectural project, launched in 2005 by the group behind the Centers for Scientific Living, is to transform existing buildings or to design new buildings by amassing 3D models that showcase reproducible techniques. The models are housed together to create a sort of 3D library! Therefore, anyone who owns a building or has an existing project under construction will have access to the diverse examples, which they can reproduce and perfect for use in eco-friendly construction. This is why the project consists of a number of distinct elements, each piece connecting to the next like a giant puzzle. Each of these elements could then be an opportunity for a camp, an internship, or a seminar.

From one camp to another, there is a key element for each of these projects. For example, one camp might focus on the conception to the construction of a bioclimatic dome that covers an existing center, while another camp might learn about the construction of a new building that is completely buried, receives natural light, has an unobstructed view of the surrounding valley, and yet whose carbon footprint does not affect the pastures that we must protect. Participants of the ECOLOGIS camps will take part in the preconception, sketches and proposals. The 3D model of the home of their dreams could be made from a variety of materials (such as wood or glass), but that could even be automated to match the final goal of their proposal.

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These projects, realized by the youths themselves, will allow them to easily take on similar projects. For example, they could take on a project in which they have to design a roof garden where the plants and small animals of the region can live and grow. They might also be involved in designing an exotic greenhouse, or a water circuit in the heart of the center using vertical water wheels, waterfalls and local rivers. They could integrate a skylight for astronomical observations or perfect the concepts and designs of a bioclimatic building that’s energy independent. The participants might even focus on the aesthetics of the building, such as the views during night and day, during winter, or even while it is raining or sunny. They could also take part in the designs of a “Canopy” village, with cabins perched in the trees. The young architects could even focus on designing automated energy systems in the centers (such as shutters, water heaters that use biofuel and solar panels). The participants could also study designs of hot springs and thermal springs for winter baths in the heart of the forest.

In each camp, the participants will contribute to the final project and will sign the models they created. Work on construction of the prototype will be passed on to a team of professionals, except in cases when it is a real pleasure for the kids to take part in the construction (such as planting vegetation with the help of their educators). The campers will acquire an amazing amount of knowledge while adding model designs to their future engineer-architect resumés!

Space is limited, so please register early to reserve your place!

The location

At 1,068 meters in altitude, the mountain village of Lenk is located in the Simmental Valley in the Swiss Alps. It’s at the foot of the Wildstrubel massif, home of the Plaine Morte glacier. This idyllic setting is surrounded by summits that reach nearly 3,000 meters.

Below the Plaine Morte glacier on the Rezlialp lies the river Simme. Its waters come from several springs gushing from the rocks, called the “seven fountains.” These sulfurous springs are renowned for their effects on rheumatism and respiratory illnesses, making them famous hotsprings.

It’s picturesque year-round. Whether you’re gazing out the window or going on a stroll, the lakes, mountain passes, summits, and pastures are breathtaking.

With its large sports hall and a pool, the village is great for team sports. And of course, there’s all the great stuff you can do on the mountain: alpine barbecues, hiking, leisurely biking on trails or mountain biking for the more athletic among us, mountain climbing, and much more!

Accomodation

We’ll be staying at the Kuspo Center in the Simmental Valley. Only one kilometer from the village of Lenk, it’s close to footpaths that quickly lead to hiking trails.

The Kuspo Center includes three modern chalets for accommodations and a superb main hall with activity rooms. We can stay in spacious rooms with bedding and Nordic duvets for two, four, or eight people. Each chalet contains large offices and rooms to conduct our scientific activities.

Diverse, delicious buffets are served in the dining room. The dining areas can also be used as gathering places for exciting activities in the evening. Halls and athletic areas are available around the center. It also has a game room and a large terrace where you can relax in the sun. We’ll immerse ourselves in Swiss culture in the warm, family atmosphere of this magnificent valley.

To join us on this trip, you can:

• Find your own way there (you’ll receive a map and schedule).
• Plan a trip from any city in the world. Contact us for more information.
  • Transfer by train or minibus from certain cities.
  • Take a flight. Contact us for more information.