The ENAC Summer Workshop is a project to build a community pavilion in Ecublens. Construction of the pavilion began in June 2023 and will continue throughout 2024. The rebuiLT pavilion is being built on the grounds of the Pontet school. It is being built from recycled materials (concrete, tiles, windows, etc.) and bio-sourced materials (straw, earth, sheep’s wool, etc.) and will serve as a common room for the school and Ecublens associations.
Students will be encouraged to take an active part in a construction site and will be supervised by rebuiLT partner teachers and construction professionals.
The rebuiLT construction site allows students to take a step into the world of ecological construction and to learn many practical and technical skills that complement the theoretical lessons of EPFL engineers and architects. What’s more, the construction site is a collaborative work experience, with involvement in community life (lunches, activities, etc.), which also develops interpersonal and social skills.
Two Summer Workshops are on offer, with students forming the construction team for the next stages of the project:
Summer Workshop 1 from 8 to 19 July: Construction of straw walls: 4ECTS
- Students learn how to build load-bearing straw walls in theory and practice
- Self-supporting straw walls
- Wooden structure on both floors
- Openings made from recycled materials
In addition, optional training in straw construction will be offered by experts. It will take place over 3 days during the week of 1 to 5 July. Motivated students will be able to take part in this optional training course in addition to the Summer Workshop. This course is paid for by rebuiLT, and is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of straw construction. The knowledge acquired will be passed on and applied at the first Summer Workshop. (places are limited)
Summer Workshop 2 from 19 to 30 August: Laying earthen plasters: 4ECTS
- Students will learn how to use earth plaster in theory and practice
preparing materials
- Making plaster mixes
- Applying several layers to straw walls
- Assembling the floor (depending on the weather)
Dates
Students choose to take part in one or other of the 2 Summer Workshops on the following dates:
SW1: 8 to 19 July, 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm. (weekdays only)
SW2: 19 to 30 August, 8.00am to 12.00pm and 1.00pm to 5.00pm (weekdays only).
The idea is to start early in the morning to avoid working the hottest hours of the day.
The Summer Workshop is a continuation of rebuiLT, a MAKE project that has been running for 5 semesters and offers various credited projects. This project plans the construction of the pavilion in several stages:
- a load-bearing structure made of recycled concrete, to be delivered by professionals in June 2023,
- the roof will be built as a student workcamp during the summer of 2023,
- the shell and finishing touches built during the 2 summer workshops in 2024.
You can also see what we did last year in the articles on the website: go.epfl.ch/rebuilt
Teaching team:
Prof. Corentin Fivet, SXL, EPFL
Peter Zurbrügg, lecturer, SXL, EPFL
Expert team
Elodie Simon, architect HES master, CAS Regenerative Materials, associate etceterra
Julien Hosta, architect DPLG/DSA-architecture de terre at ENSA Grenoble, consultant and member of the CRAterre team, associate researcher CRAterre AE&CC research unit, ENSAG.
Contact & registration:
The summer workshop will be held in French.
To register, please fill in the registration form. Register early, places are limited!
For more information, visit go.epfl.ch/rebuilt or contact us at [email protected].
Photos 2023
