Building of the Smart Training Pavilion

The creation of the Smart Training Pavilion flows from the third edition of the student competition entitled "Sustainable is beautiful", organized in 2018 by the Laboratory of Architecture and Sustainable Technologies (LAST), in collaboration with the Buildings and Works Department of UNIL (Unibat), with the support of the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA), and won by Martin Handley, Yann Junod, and Nicola Schürch.

During the ceremony, Mr. Ruben Merino - Head of Unibat Planning and Projects and President of the Project Commission - thanked all the participants for their commitment and cooperation in this achievement, from the beginnings of the competition to the ongoing work. On behalf of future users, Mr. Jean-Marc Gilliéron - Deputy Director of the UNIL / EPFL Sports Department - expressed satisfaction at seeing the structure of a new space being built. The later will be dedicated to connected strength training and virtual training but will also host sports medicine research and consultation practices. The construction of this pavilion will thus further enrich and diversify the offer of the University Sports Center of Dorigny (CUSD) for the academic community.

The architectural approach is part of the search for just adequacy of resources, control of construction processes, and the creative use of materials with low environmental impact. The load-bearing structure is made up of crossed wooden posts supporting a grid of beams made of the same material. By its expressive clarity, it gives the spaces great spatial generosity and flexibility of use. Integrating bioclimatic principles, the building envelope will consist of a glazed facade, lined with fixed claustra made of wooden slats. The depth, the spacing, and the angle of the slats are differentiated according to the orientation; the aim is an optimum between natural lighting, solar protection, and visual relation with the exterior.