The stay

Our centers are always gifted with fantastic architectural projects: from completely covering the building with an eco-dome, to entirely burying it underground while giving it the best view possible of the valley, all the way to reinstalling the building in the trees. Though these projects seem ambitious, they allow the participants to fire up their imaginations and to decide on the form of the building and the skills they will need to design it. After the plans are complete, professional builders will take over and bring the project to life.

© OSI

© OSI

You and your team will draw up the initial plans, designs, and models of your architectural project, which you will then propose to us. Using wood, glass, or other materials, you will begin to make your project a reality. You will be able to collaborate with different camps to gather ideas and advice on your design. For example, while collaborating with the PERCEPTION camp, participants can let you know which vegetation would go well in your building to maximize its eco-friendly potential. You can also collaborate with the UNIVERS camp, and the participants can give you their opinion on where to integrate the cupola so a telescope can be installed. With these fruitful collaborations, you will discover the myriad different living materials and ecological techniques that can be used.

You will be personally contributing to the transformation of one of our centers into a futuristic habitat integrated into the environment. You will then be able to sign the great wall of project contributors. Afterwards, you can use your experience during your future as an architect!

What is the purpose of the 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 homes of the future. Topics related to home automation and construction materials that are currently used to a build traditional or ecological home will be covered.

In the ECOLOGIS camps, the participants will learn new home-building designs that will complement traditional practices. Ecology will be studied as a way to maximize the economics of a home. Energy saving will be the top priority. Whether this means creating a roof-top 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 take advantage of the myriad possibilities that habitats in the mountains have to offer, even though they are confronted with 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 a natural heritage site.

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 and 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!

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A professional project that caters to youths!

The goal of the architectural project, launched in 2005 by the group behind the Centre de Séjours Scientifiques, is to transform existing buildings or to design new buildings by amassing 3D models that showcase the techniques that can be used. The models are housed together to create a sort of 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 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 principal element to 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 be made automatic to match the final goal of their proposal.

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 that allows the plants and small animals of the region to 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 implement a skylight for astronomical observations or perfect the concepts and designs of a bioclimatic building autonomous in energy management. 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 further 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 when it becomes a real pleasure for the kids to take part in the construction, such as planting vegetation with the help of their tutors. 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 spot!

The location

At 1068 m, the mountain village of Lenk is situated in the Simmental Valley in the Swiss Alps, at the foot of the mountain range of Wildstrubel that shelters the Plaine Morte glacier. The surrounding summits are over 3000 m in altitude and the atmosphere is idyllic.

At the foot of the Plaine Morte glacier at Rezlialp, the Simme River gives birth to various fountains that gush out from the rock. These sources of sulphurous water, called the Sept Fontaines (the Seven Fountains), are reputed to have beneficial effects for those with rheumatism and respiratory illnesses, making these thermal sources famous.

The scenery is magnificent in summer and in winter. Whether we are looking out the window or are strolling by the lakes, through the mountains or the summits, the prairies at high altitude are breathtaking.

The place where we are staying has a sports area, a pool, and room for outdoor games. We can have barbecues in the alpine pastures, take walks, ride bikes along the clearly marked pathways, or for the more sporty ones mountain-biking or hiking. There are many possible activities!

Accomodation

Our accommodation in the Simmental Valley is in the Kuspo Center. Situated 1 km from the village of Lenk, the center is located near pedestrian walkways that allow easy access to the hiking routes.

The Kuspo Center is made up of three modern cabins to receive us during our stay, and there is a grand main building for all the activities. We will be able to use the spacious bedrooms that are equipped with bedding and comforters for 2 to 8 guests. Each cabin has big offices and multi-purpose rooms, allowing us to organize our activities as efficiently as possible.

The meals are served in the dining room, where a sumptuous and diverse buffet will be available. These rooms will also double as a common room for evening gatherings after our activities. All the rooms and sports areas are available around the center. The site also has a game room as well as a sunlit outdoor patio for relaxation. It is in a warm, family atmosphere that we will spend time together in the heart of Swiss culture in this beautiful valley.

To arrive at the destination, you can:

• Arrive using your own travel means (you will receive a map and a schedule)
• Organize a departure from any city in the world
  • either accompanied in minibus (only available in certain cities)
  • by plane (contact us for more details)