Architecture

Slovenian alpine shelter is not for the faint hearted

Slovenian alpine shelter is not for the faint hearted
The Mount Skuta alpine shelter designed by Slovenian architectural firm OFIS, AKT II engineers and design students from Harvard Graduate School of Design
The Mount Skuta alpine shelter designed by Slovenian architectural firm OFIS, AKT II engineers and design students from Harvard Graduate School of Design
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Original cabin has been used for the past 50 years
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Original cabin has been used for the past 50 years
The old cabin has now been replaced with the new shelter by Slovenian architectural firm OFIS
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The old cabin has now been replaced with the new shelter by Slovenian architectural firm OFIS
The old shelter was big, clunky and ugly
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The old shelter was big, clunky and ugly
The new Skuta Alpine Shelter was prefabricated off-site in three sections
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The new Skuta Alpine Shelter was prefabricated off-site in three sections
Getting ready to fly the modules up the mountain
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Getting ready to fly the modules up the mountain
The modular shelter was broken down into three sections and flown into its new home by helicopter
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The modular shelter was broken down into three sections and flown into its new home by helicopter
Preparing the modules for flight
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Preparing the modules for flight
Each module was flown in via helicopter and securely connected together, before being anchored to the ground
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Each module was flown in via helicopter and securely connected together, before being anchored to the ground
In order to reach its final extreme destination, the shelter was prefabricated off-site and broken down into three separate sections
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In order to reach its final extreme destination, the shelter was prefabricated off-site and broken down into three separate sections
Each module was securely connected together, before being anchored to the ground
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Each module was securely connected together, before being anchored to the ground
Construction was achieved with very little impact on the existing site and surrounding landscape
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Construction was achieved with very little impact on the existing site and surrounding landscape
Slovenian architectural firm OFIS recently teamed up with AKT II engineers and design students from Harvard Graduate School of Design to create an innovative alpine shelter
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Slovenian architectural firm OFIS recently teamed up with AKT II engineers and design students from Harvard Graduate School of Design to create an innovative alpine shelter
Located amid the harsh mountain tops of Mount Skuta in Slovenia, the new shelter replaces a rusty 50 year old bivouac (storm refuge) and provides humble accommodation for up to eight hikers
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Located amid the harsh mountain tops of Mount Skuta in Slovenia, the new shelter replaces a rusty 50 year old bivouac (storm refuge) and provides humble accommodation for up to eight hikers
Construction was achieved with very little impact on the existing site and surrounding landscape
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Construction was achieved with very little impact on the existing site and surrounding landscape
Perched amid an extreme alpine environment, the modular shelter was broken down into three sections and flown into its new home by helicopter
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Perched amid an extreme alpine environment, the modular shelter was broken down into three sections and flown into its new home by helicopter
The new alpine shelter has been built to withstand extreme winds, snow loads and landslides
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The new alpine shelter has been built to withstand extreme winds, snow loads and landslides
The alpine shelter takes in its harsh surroundings
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The alpine shelter takes in its harsh surroundings
The design was developed with students at Harvard University
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The design was developed with students at Harvard University
The lodge was created for climbers of Slovenia’s Mt. Skuta
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The lodge was created for climbers of Slovenia’s Mt. Skuta
The construction of building features three distinct layers, comprising of an outer shell, structural frame and interior shell
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The construction of building features three distinct layers, comprising of an outer shell, structural frame and interior shell
The outer shell is made from fiber reinforced concrete cladding
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The outer shell is made from fiber reinforced concrete cladding
The shelter features a steel core and triple glazed windows
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The shelter features a steel core and triple glazed windows
The internal shell is made from Larch timber panels
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The internal shell is made from Larch timber panels
The shelter offers a safe refuge and a comfortable environment for adventures to enjoy some quiet time
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The shelter offers a safe refuge and a comfortable environment for adventures to enjoy some quiet time
The shelter takes full advantage of the extraordinary views, looking across the surrounding landscape
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The shelter takes full advantage of the extraordinary views, looking across the surrounding landscape
Engineers AKT II ensured that the structure would stand up to the challenges presented by the site
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Engineers AKT II ensured that the structure would stand up to the challenges presented by the site
Extraordinary views, looking across the surrounding landscape
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Extraordinary views, looking across the surrounding landscape
AKT II ensured that the structure would stand up to the challenges presented by the site
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AKT II ensured that the structure would stand up to the challenges presented by the site
Triple glazed windows offer panoramic views of the valley
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Triple glazed windows offer panoramic views of the valley
In order to reach its final extreme destination, the shelter was prefabricated off-site
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In order to reach its final extreme destination, the shelter was prefabricated off-site
The shelter was broken down into three separate sections
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The shelter was broken down into three separate sections
The shelter's three distinct modules help divide the interior space into different living quarters
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The shelter's three distinct modules help divide the interior space into different living quarters
The first module features the entrance, storage space and a compact food preparation zone
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The first module features the entrance, storage space and a compact food preparation zone
The second module offers an open space for relaxing and socializing
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The second module offers an open space for relaxing and socializing
The choice of materials responds to the extreme mountain landscape
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The choice of materials responds to the extreme mountain landscape
The three modules are fastened onto strategically placed pin connections
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The three modules are fastened onto strategically placed pin connections
The Mount Skuta alpine shelter designed by Slovenian architectural firm OFIS, AKT II engineers and design students from Harvard Graduate School of Design
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The Mount Skuta alpine shelter designed by Slovenian architectural firm OFIS, AKT II engineers and design students from Harvard Graduate School of Design
The entire transportation and installation process was carried out in just one day
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The entire transportation and installation process was carried out in just one day
The Mount Skuta alpine shelter is available for use by local mountain climbers
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The Mount Skuta alpine shelter is available for use by local mountain climbers
Mt. Skuta Alpine Shelter by OFIS
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Mt. Skuta Alpine Shelter by OFIS
The shelter is available for use by local mountain climbers in the in Kamnik Alps, Slovenia
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The shelter is available for use by local mountain climbers in the in Kamnik Alps, Slovenia
At 8307 ft (2532 m) Mount Skuta is the third highest peak within the Kamnik Alps
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At 8307 ft (2532 m) Mount Skuta is the third highest peak within the Kamnik Alps
Mt. Skuta Alpine Shelter by OFIS
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Mt. Skuta Alpine Shelter by OFIS
The Kamnik Alps are famous for its glacier located on its severe north wall
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The Kamnik Alps are famous for its glacier located on its severe north wall
Mt. Skuta Alpine Shelter by OFIS
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Mt. Skuta Alpine Shelter by OFIS
The North and North East tracks take hikers to a stunning plateau with a 1640 ft (500 m) sheer drop above the glacier
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The North and North East tracks take hikers to a stunning plateau with a 1640 ft (500 m) sheer drop above the glacier
Mt. Skuta Alpine Shelter by OFIS
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Mt. Skuta Alpine Shelter by OFIS
The North and North East tracks take hikers to a stunning plateau with a 1640 ft (500 m) sheer drop above the glacier
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The North and North East tracks take hikers to a stunning plateau with a 1640 ft (500 m) sheer drop above the glacier
The design consists of three modules, in part to allow for transport and also to divide the space
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The design consists of three modules, in part to allow for transport and also to divide the space
The first space is dedicated to the entrance, storage and a small space for the preparation of food
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The first space is dedicated to the entrance, storage and a small space for the preparation of food
Alpine Shelter hides amid the rockface
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Alpine Shelter hides amid the rockface
The shelter is informed by traditional alpine architecture, building elements, materials, structure and design scheme
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The shelter is informed by traditional alpine architecture, building elements, materials, structure and design scheme
Slovenian architectural firm OFIS recently teamed up with AKT II engineers and design students from Harvard Graduate School of Design to create an innovative alpine shelter
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Slovenian architectural firm OFIS recently teamed up with AKT II engineers and design students from Harvard Graduate School of Design to create an innovative alpine shelter
OFIS architects and structural engineers AKT ll lead the project throughout the realization and planning phase
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OFIS architects and structural engineers AKT ll lead the project throughout the realization and planning phase
The Alpine Shelter replaces a 50 year old bivouac that had previously been on the site
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The Alpine Shelter replaces a 50 year old bivouac that had previously been on the site
The extreme climatic conditions in the mountains introduced a design challenge for the architects
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The extreme climatic conditions in the mountains introduced a design challenge for the architects
The cabin can withstand extreme weather, radical temperature shifts and rugged terrain
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The cabin can withstand extreme weather, radical temperature shifts and rugged terrain
Alpine shelter gets flown in
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Alpine shelter gets flown in
Close to the peak of Mt. Skuta, Slovenia
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Close to the peak of Mt. Skuta, Slovenia
Responding to environmental conditions is not only a protective measure, but also translates into a matter of immediate life safety
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Responding to envi­ronmental conditions is not only a protective measure, but also translates into a matter of immediate life safety
Built-in bunk beds line the interior walls
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Built-in bunk beds line the interior walls
Alpine shelter gets flown in
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Alpine shelter gets flown in
The harsh conditions of wind, snow, landslides, terrain, and weather require a response of specific architectural forms and conceptual designs
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The harsh conditions of wind, snow, landslides, terrain, and weather require a response of specific architectural forms and conceptual designs
The cabin can withstand extreme weather, radical temperature shifts and rugged terrain
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The cabin can withstand extreme weather, radical temperature shifts and rugged terrain
The inner and outer layers get installed
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The inner and outer layers get installed
The harsh conditions of wind, snow, landslides, terrain, and weather require a response of specific architectural forms and conceptual designs
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The harsh conditions of wind, snow, landslides, terrain, and weather require a response of specific architectural forms and conceptual designs
Final building steps of the Alpine Shelter by OFIS architects
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Final building steps of the Alpine Shelter by OFIS architects
The structure is almost complete
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The structure is almost complete
Final building steps of the Alpine Shelter by OFIS architects
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Final building steps of the Alpine Shelter by OFIS architects
The bivouac is an object that represents a basic human necessity, a shelter
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The bivouac is an object that represents a basic human necessity, a shelter
The Alpine Shelter is a symbol of refuge
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The Alpine Shelter is a symbol of refuge
The outer form and choice of materials were chosen to respond the extreme mountain conditions, and also provide views to the greater landscape
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The outer form and choice of materials were chosen to respond the extreme mountain conditions, and also provide views to the greater landscape
Its position within the wilderness requires respect for natural resources
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Its position within the wilderness requires respect for natural resources
The shelter is strongly anchored to the ground while having a minimal impact on the landscape
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The shelter is strongly anchored to the ground while having a minimal impact on the landscape
The Alpine Shelter is an object that represents a basic human necessity, a shelter
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The Alpine Shelter is an object that represents a basic human necessity, a shelter
Final exterior panels go up
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Final exterior panels go up
The Alpine Shelter sits along the cliff's edge of Mt. Skuta, Slovenia
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The Alpine Shelter sits along the cliff's edge of Mt. Skuta, Slovenia
View gallery - 77 images

Slovenianarchitectural firm OFIS recently teamed up with AKT II engineers anddesign students from Harvard Graduate School of Design to create aninnovative alpine shelter. Located amid the harsh mountaintops ofMount Skuta in Slovenia, the new shelter replaces a rusty 50 year oldbivouac (storm refuge) and provides humble accommodation forup to eight hikers. Perched amid an extreme alpine environment, themodular shelter was broken down into three sections and flown intoits new home by helicopter.

"Theextreme climatic conditions in the mountains introduced a designchallenge for architects, engineers and designers," says OFISarchitects. "Within a context of extreme risk to environmentalforces, it was important to design a building that can withstandextreme weather, radical temperature shifts and rugged terrain."

Takingthese harsh environmental factors into consideration, the new alpineshelter has been built to withstand extreme winds, snow loads andlandslides. The building features three distinctlayers, comprising an outer shell, structural frame and interiorshell. The outer shell is made from fiber reinforced concretecladding, while a steel core makes up the structural frame and the internalshell is made from Larch timber panels. Furthermore, triple-glazedstructural glass was used for the shelter’s large windows, not onlyoffering a safe refuge but a comfortable environment for adventurersto enjoy some quiet time and the extraordinary views.

Inorder to reach its final extreme destination, the shelter was mostly prefabricated off-site and broken down into three separate sections.Each module was then flown in via helicopter andsecurely connected together, before being anchoredto the ground. This was all achieved while having very little impacton the existing site and surrounding landscape.

"Themodules were planned as a series of robust frames, which were thenbraced together on-site, providing a manageable installation and aless invasive foundation," says OFIS. "In order to keep themountain site as undisturbed as possible, the modules were fastenedonto strategically placed pin connections, which also act as thefoundation on the site."

Furthermore,the shelter's three distinct modules help divide the interior spaceinto different living quarters. The first module features theentrance, storage space and a compact food preparation zone. Thesecond module offers an open space for relaxing and socializing,which can also double as an additional sleeping area, while the thirdmodule features a series of wooden built-in bunk beds.

"Thehope is that the bivouac will serve as a shelter for all of theclimbers who need it, and that through their care and attention thebivouac will continue to do so for many years," says OFIS.

TheMountSkuta alpine shelter is available for use by local mountain climbersin the Kamnik Alps, Slovenia. At 8,307ft (2532 m) Mount Skuta is the third highest peak within the KamnikAlps and is famous for the glacier located on its severe north wall.Both the North and North East tracks take hikers to a stunningplateau which features a 1,640 ft (500 m) sheer drop above the glacier.

Be sure to check out the extensive galleryand see just how the OFIS architects got this shelter up to itsdramatic mountain top.

Source: OFIS via Archdaily

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