The beating heart of La Châtaigneraie
Located opposite the Primary School, the Campus Hub will become the beating heart of La Châtaigneraie: a place for collaboration, well-being and innovation.
The environment our children experience at Ecolint is critical to their academic success, as well as their mental and physical health. Our vision to create an iconic central campus hub for La Châtaigneraie goes beyond bricks and mortar. It’s about inspiring confidence, collaboration and creativity. We want to set a standard that empowers students to aim higher in every aspect of life.
Soraya Sayed Hassen Principal Secondary School and Campus & Hazel Allen Primary School Principal
Why this project?
Ecolint's excellence in education is the foundation for shaping the global citizens of tomorrow. A supportive environment promotes both mental and physical health, empowering learners to aim higher and build resilience. Our holistic approach benefits every child. As demand for La Châtaigneraie grows, we need to transform our infrastructure to create sustainable, adaptable spaces that meet the needs of today's and tomorrow's students.
A Two-Phase Development
Our vision for the campus has been developed to answer the following critical needs and to create a state-of-the-art learning environment, with student wellbeing at its heart, that unleashes our students’ full potential:
Phase 1 - Campus Hub (starting summer 2025)
- Multifunctional and flexible spaces for studying and collaborative projects
- A new cafeteria accommodating 450 students at once (compared to 280 today)
- Modern sports facilities replacing the outdated Vaud sports hall
- Sound-proofed music rooms for an improved learning environment
Phase 2 - Centres of Excellence
- Renovation and transformation of the existing buildings (Leman, Lausanne, Alps) into Centres of Excellence
- New classrooms and state-of-the-art science laboratories
- More inclusive spaces for the Extended Support Programme
A model of sustainability
The Campus Hub will embody our commitment to sustainability: photovoltaic panels, geothermal energy and smart architectural design to optimise natural light and ventilation. We will also enhance biodiversity by planting 200m² of trees and creating a new pedestrian walkway.
Building the future together
We are committed to making the Campus Hub a reality as part of our campus development, with philanthropy playing a key role in bringing our vision to life. Philanthropic support is an investment in student well-being and a powerful statement of our shared commitment to excellence, inclusion and community.
For any questions, please check our FAQ or contact us at campushub.cha@ecolint.ch.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What new spaces will be created?
- A 1,400m² multi-purpose sports and exhibition hall
- A specialist fitness room, a combined dance studio and martial arts space
- An outdoor basketball court
- Dedicated sound-proofed music rooms
- A multi-functional cafeteria expanding capacity from 280 to 450 students
- Dedicated quiet study areas and breakout spaces for collaborative work
- A main campus reception, centralised health centre, and key student services
- Geothermal and solar energy solutions, plus 200m² of newly planted trees
- Who will benefit from the Campus Hub?
All students, including primary students, will benefit from enhanced extracurricular opportunities in music and sport, as well as shared access to state-of-the-art facilities. The centralised reception and student services will also improve access for families.
- When will the project be completed?
The first phase will begin in summer 2025 and be completed by 2027.
- How will mobility be improved and will there be any disruptions?
Plans to improve campus access include the addition of a traffic lane in collaboration with the canton of Vaud, as well as extra bike parking spaces to accommodate more cyclists. While construction may cause some disruptions, efforts will be made to organise the work in a way that minimises any impact on school life and the surrounding community.
- How will the Campus Hub affect existing spaces at La Châtaigneraie?
The Campus Hub will free up spaces in the Léman, Lausanne and Alps buildings, allowing us to repurpose existing spaces and create new Centres of Excellence and enhance existing pedagogical areas.
- How and when will these additional spaces be reconfigured?
Throughout 2025 and 2026, School Principals will engage the community for input on how best to repurpose spaces that become available in 2027. Priorities include additional science laboratories and improved art department facilities.
- Will student numbers increase?
The plan allows for a modest increase of up to 40 students across the campus.
- What is the cost of the Campus Hub and how will it be funded?
The total budget for the Campus Hub is CHF 41.6 million. It will be funded through Ecolint’s capital expenditure budget, loans and philanthropy.
- Will school fees be impacted by this project?
School fees are determined through separate processes, so there is no correlation between this capital project and the fees.
- Who can we contact if we have questions about the project?
You can contact the Campus Hub team at campushub.cha@ecolint.ch.