OFIS constructs alpine shelter for climbers of slovenia's skuta mountain

OFIS constructs alpine shelter for climbers of slovenia’s skuta mountain
image © anze cokl

in collaboration with students at harvard university graduate school of design, OFIS architects has constructed a shelter for climbers of slovenia’s skuta mountain. creating a form that references the region’s vernacular architecture, the design team worked alongside engineers AKT II who ensured that the structure would stand up to the challenges presented by the site, including strong winds, heavy snowfall, and treacherous landslides.

the design was developed with students at harvard university graduate school of design
image © janez martincic

replacing a 50 year old bivouac, the shelter forms a new symbol of refuge. the outer form and the careful choice of materials responds to the extreme mountain conditions, while simultaneously providing views to the greater landscape. after designs from a number of different students were considered, a scheme by frederick kim, katie macdonald and erin pellegrino was selected to be taken forward.

the shelter has been constructed for climbers of slovenia’s skuta mountain
image © anze cokl

the design consists of three separate modules, in part to allow for transport to the site, but also to programmatically divide the space. the first volume serves as the entrance, with storage areas and an area for food preparation. the second space provides space for sleeping and socializing, while the final area features a bunk-bed system. robust triple glazed windows offer panoramic views of the valley and the adjacent mountain range.

the form references the region’s vernacular architecture
image © janez martincic

so as not to disturb the mountain’s existing terrain, the three modules are fastened onto strategically placed pin connections, which also serve as the site’s foundations. the entire transportation and installation process was carried out in just one day.

engineers AKT II ensured that the structure would stand up to the challenges presented by the site
image © janez martincic

the design consists of three separate modules
image © anze cokl

triple glazed windows offer panoramic views of the valley
image © anze cokl

the careful choice of materials responds to the extreme mountain conditions
image © andrej gregoric

the three modules are fastened onto strategically placed pin connections
image © anze cokl

impressively, the entire transportation and installation process was carried out in just one day
image © anze cokl

1/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project team:

instructors / architects: rok oman, spela videcnik (OFIS architects)
student design team, harvard GSD: frederick kim, katie macdonald, erin pellegrino
OFIS architects team: andrej gregoric, janez martincic, maria della mea, vincenzo roma, andrea capretti, jade manbodh, sam eadington
structural engineering: AKT II (london, UK), hanif kara, edward wilkes
local structural engineering: projecta, milan sorc
engineering & consulting: freeapproved, anze cokl
realization & on-site coordination: PD ljubljana matica (slovenia), matevz jerman, davor rozman
façade – öko skin: rieder smart elements  (austria), wolfgang rieder, matthias kleibel
glazing: guardian (USA), domen komac
bivouac maintenance representatives: matevz jerman, davor rozman
principal contractor: permiz d.o.o. (slovenia), bostjan perme
anchors and fixation: hilti (slovenia)
thermal and fire safe insulation: rockwool stone wool

site preparation and construction team: alpinist section PD ljubljana matica, visinska dela orti
team: matevz jerman, jernej ortar, blaz ortar, davor rozman, natasa vodopivec, matevz kastrin, boris mance, boris bokavsek, luka klemencic, ziga asic, jernej knop, anze klaric, uros grilj, marko granda, boštjan oblak

helicopter flights: slovenian army — tomaz perse, primoz pintar, andrej groselj, peter smrkolj
support at installation: mountain rescue association of slovenia, GRZS, brane zorz, tadej mrak, bojan goli
photography: anze cokl, andrej gregoric, nikolaj gregoric, janez martincic

students who participated in the ‘habitation in extreme environments’ studio: myrna ayoub, oliver bucklin, zheng cui, lauren mcclellan, michael meo, nadia perlepe, elizabeth pipal, tianhang ren, xin su

Save