Located just 90 minutes from Yerevan in Artavaz, Armenia, along the Marmarik River, the site was formerly used as a Young Pioneer Communism camp for kids between the ages of 10 and 17.

With the fall of the Soviet Union and Armenia's independence in 1991, the camp was abandoned. The existing structures on the property have fallen into disrepair, but most are still stable enough to be renovated.

In 2013, more than 1,900 Armenian kids attended Young Life camps in tents on rented facilities. Much more space is needed as kids are clamoring for the opportunity to get away from the pressures they face in everyday life. 

KDO’s role is to participate, along with landscape architects, in the masterplan effort. The challenge is to design the circulation of the entire campsite in a way that is well structured,  and provides a sequence of events for the campers to acclimate to the campsite.

The design proposed by KDO is to change the path of drop-zone to be located near the main field. A wide corridor or a “street” is proposed to guide the campers from the field to the main housing structures. The  This street will be activated with outdoor pools, gardens, small shops, cafeteria, playgrounds, and other campsite facilities. This corridor is seen as the major connection between the housing compounds and the playing field.