Presentation on socio-climatic vulnerabilities
Maquette du projet © EPFL / PDM Zélie Cortès
Organised by the UNIL Centre of Competence in Sustainability, the conference “Heatwave 2026: The Coolest Summer of the Rest of Our Lives? Inequalities and Adaptation to Climate Extremes” took place on 27 October 2026. On this occasion, Zélie Cortès has presented her master’s project developed at the Laboratory of Architecture and Sustainable Technologies (LAST), which explores the adaptation and renovation of a residential complex in Nyon in response to climate change, with a focus on spatial and social vulnerabilities.
The work presented at the conference explores an approach to renovating existing buildings that combines adaptation to extreme heat with the reduction of socio-climatic vulnerabilities. The study focuses on a residential complex in the Gravette neighbourhood, north of Nyon, built in the 1970s and 1980s. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the proposal adopts a “working with what is already there” approach, making use of the site’s intrinsic qualities while limiting interventions on the existing buildings. The semi-underground ground floors are renovated to accommodate new local services dedicated to healthcare, food, education and social cohesion.
At the same time, the transformation of outdoor spaces combines increased vegetation, the reintroduction of water features and topographical adjustments to create climate refuges and encourage social interaction. The project thus considers cool spaces as a shared resource and climate adaptation as a driver of social resilience, addressing environmental challenges and the needs of local residents together.
The supervisory committee for this master’s project, entitled “Social Canopy: Adapting and Renovating a Residential Complex in Nyon in Response to Socio-Climatic Vulnerabilities”, comprised Prof. Emmanuel Rey (supervisor, LAST), Prof. Marilyne Andersen (professor, LIPID) and Dr Sophie Lufkin (mentor, LAST). The project was also among the winners of the 2025 Durabilis Prize, jointly awarded by EPFL and UNIL.