The Domaine de Boisbuchet is an old country estate located in the Poitou-Charente region in west central France. In 1986 it was purchased by the collector and founding director of Vitra Design Museum, Alexander von Vegesack, with the aim of bringing it to new life for cultural and agricultural purposes. Today is an international centre for designers, architects and artists creating projects and exchanging ideas.

For fourteen years, internationally established professionals from different fields have led courses on current themes in architecture and design on the 150-hectare terrain located in the triangle of Poitiers, Limoges and Angoulême.

From early June through late September participants from around forty nations enjoy the conceptual and geographic freedoms of the expansive grounds. Far removed from the demands and pressures of daily life, they collaborate with fellow colleagues and experts from a wide range of disciplines amidst the landscape park, river, lake, meadows and forests. During the six to ten-day workshops, they are united in the common goal of exploring the various themes and quickly translating the new insights and discoveries. From the very first ray of sunshine, the process of actively developing, assessing, reflecting and constructing begins. Talks on design theory and presentations by course leaders in the evening complement the practical activities in the workshops.

Erected in past years as part of the workshop programme, the pavilions by internationally prominent architects such as Simón Vélez, Jörg Schlaich and Shigeru Ban provide an inspiring backdrop but also serve as demonstration objects. They present a fascinating contrast to the historic buildings from the nineteenth century. In addition, they exemplify the kinds of groundbreaking ideas that can take shape during the summer workshops at the Domaine de Boisbuchet, away from the hectic pace of the office.