Four years ago, Frédéric Chevalier, creator of the concept, enrolled me with the conception of his project. Apart from being atypical, the latter had no determined program. Not more than a virgin page flying in the nature…. How to materialize a new concept, consisting in freeing creative individualities, and enable them to create in optimum conditions?
I invested both in the search for a minimum impact on the natural space, as well as the pursue of a random composition linked to the concept. This search lead to a biologically oriented answer, which is inspired from cell incubators. Other historical references were really inspiring, in terms of dynamic, such as the Babel Tower, the Goethaneum from Steiner of the Taliesin West from Frank Lloyd Wright.
In respect with my first intuition, the highly symbolic aspect of the circle, linked with the harmonious expression of the “all” in many civilizations, quickly appeared to be the proper formal answer to the question. The final result is faithful to the debated concept : on the one hand, the theme of the limit constituted by the accommodations, a linear boarder between the outside world and, on the other hand, the heart of the project composed of randomly implemented cylinders, which size varies according to their programs. The whole sits on the topographic basis of the site which is naturally crossed by a level curb and protected with the stretched canvas around three circular patios. The work on in and out links must allow the appropriation of the premises and beneficial meetings between the actors.
THECAMP IS THE FIRST EUROPEAN CAMPUS DEDICATED TO EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND NEW USES.
This project was carried by Frédéric Chevalier, founder of HighCo, who tragically passed away last July, before the achievement of his dream. For his project, he wanted a place where startupers, artists, scientists, managers, coders, NGO representatives could meet, to train for the future, explore and create tomorrow use and technologies. At the moment, there is no other place to prepare for tomorrow world, cities, education, food, transportation, technologies and new habits. Thecamp is the place for that : an extraordinary site to get inspired, trained, experimented, to develop and accompany todays changes. Thecamp is a place conceived to shelter and cultivate an ecosystem dedicated to the exploration and the creation of a more desirable, positive, sustainable and human world.
FRÉDÉRIC CHEVALIER ENROLLED CORINNE VEZZONI’S AGENCY WITH THIS CRAZY ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT. SHE HAD CARTE BLANCHE FOR THIS NEW AND UNUSUAL
PROJECT.
At the origin, no particular instruction was given. The only intention of the founder was to achieve an atypical space, dedicated to meetings, creativity, innovation, respecting “minimality”. Version after version, attempts after attempts Thecamp emerged in a random but thought composition. This unique European site, dedicated to future and innovation, deserved an architecture adapted to its ambition.
THE SITE
To get rid of the codes and marks of the daily life, the choice of the site focused on a space fitting with the objectives of the project: an overhanging garrigue plateau, not far from Aix en Provence, surrounded with three natural elements: the Sainte Victoire on the East, a pine tree forest on the North and a rocky limestone mountain on the West. This implementation has a real meaning: it represents the Provence experience, the one which offers breathtaking views, easing escape and creativity. Spreading on seven hectares, this site is marked with diversified and authentic vegetation, made of pine trees and shrubs and a typically regional limestone ground. The assets of such a site make it a favorable place to enhance a unique program with unique ambitions. Although isolated and preserved, the site is a strategic place, thanks to its multiple connections to the out world: twenty minutes from Marseille Provence airport, close to highways and fifteen minutes from Aix en Provence TGV station.
THE IMPLEMENTATION
The implementation of the different elements of thecamp aims at creating a distance with existing southern urbanization. At the entrance, the hotel complex is constituted of two arch-shaped buildings, boarding the limit of the ground, and protecting the masterpiece canopy and offering a feeling of isolation. North of the complex is the main building, the canopy and leading to the West, the satellite villas become subtly integrated in the environment.
THE CANVAS
To settle in this site and reveal it, the Agency Vezzoni and Associates took inspiration from the traditional nomad habitat, constituted of large canvas covering the living space. This canvas concept is present in the architectural drawing of thecamp : here, the canvas realized by Ferrari, called the canopy is huge : 6729 square meters, 10 meter high, it welcomes a series of thirteen cylindrical cells also called incubators. The triangular shape of the canvas is an abstract reference to the three natural markers of the site: the rocky mountain, the Sainte Victoire and the pine tree. This impressive sunshade is randomly drilled with holes revealing internal vegetal patios, offering light and sky view, and adapted to gather rain water. Adapted to the Mediterranean climate, this protective and clear canvas is lightly oblique. Its appearance is close to white limestone, eroded rock where water fades away, moss, lichens and asperities form a unique landscape merging with the garrigue one.
THE INCUBATION
Below the canvas, there is a large crossing open space where thirteen cylinders in glass or concrete emerge. This architectural proposal from the agency refers to the ex vivo cellular biological principle. The incubator is the place of speeding and maturation for start-ups oriented towards future and innovation. Here, the incubators have a cylinder shape: seven are in curbed glass and six are in concrete with a wooden surface. We can find here meeting rooms, an administrative pole, a lunch and other vital organs. These exclusively circling spaces freely interact with intersection or juxtaposition, just like cells assembling together in a protected space. The most impressive one shelters the 175-seats amphitheater, equipped with a curtain “à l’allemande”. The tiers cross the glass walls and become alternately outside circulation or parts of the patio to end in an open sky agora. Those circulations form curbs around the canopy and offer harmony and visual fluidity.
SHAPES
This open concept also allows meetings and exchanges, preserving the link with nature. The architecture is fluid, without any rigidity, made of circular volumes, to extract from surrounding reality, take a break, and open to freedom spaces dedicated to creativity.
SATELLITES
Outside the canopy, oriented towards the Sainte Victoire, the villas are considered as incubator satellites. They point out the place in an appeasing environment.
