About: Alpine Shelter Skuta

Designed for an alpine site on Skuta Mountain in Slovenia, this cabin offers an intimate refuge for eight visitors nestled in the scenic Alps. The building shifts its roof line like a series of mountain peaks, shedding snow and framing distant scenes.The design minimizes environmental impacts: visually, gray, glass reinforced concrete cladding blends into the mountain’s stone, and performatively, natural ventilation, robust insulation for cold nights, and a lack of electricity preserve the shelter’s natural setting.

With a desire for a minimal footprint, the design consists of three modules, in part to allow for transport and also to programmatically divide the space. Deployed by helicopter as three modules, the building was joined onsite into one mass. The first module is designated for entry, storage and preparation of a modest dinner. The second module allows for both sleeping and socializing, with beds that face each other for communal eating and gathering. The last module is mainly for sleeping, offering two levels of bunks. From both sides of the shelter, one can experience the panoramic views of both Skuta, the valley, and the city of Ljubljana.

Skuta Mountain, Slovenia

46° 21'32.5 N  14°34' 04.4 E

ALPINE

SHELTER

TYPOLOGY:
STATUS:
COLLABORATORS:
PRESS:
Mountain Shelter
Completed 2016
OFIS Architekti, AKT II,
After Architecture and Frederick Kim

TYPOLOGY:
mountain shelter
COLLABORATORS:
STATUS:
completed 2016
OFIS Architekti, AKT II,
After Architecture and Frederick Kim
AWARDS:
AWARDS GO HERE

It was important to understand the role the architecture plays as a refuge within a beautiful yet extreme environment for the mountaineering community.

In the Clouds

MODEL INFLUENCE

Early on in the project, we used the language of model-making to convey ideas around materiality, deplorability, and functionality of the space.

SITE SPECIFICITY

We worked closely with the Slovenian Air Force to ensure that delivery to site would meet payload requirements of the available helicopters, as well as ensure safety of those in the air and on the ground.

IN THE CLOUDS

It was important to understand the role the architecture plays as a refuge within a beautiful yet extreme environment for the mountaineering community.

Early on in the project, we used the language of model-making to convey ideas around materiality, deployability, and functionality of the space.

MODEL

SITE

We worked closely with the Slovenian Air Force to ensure that delivery to site would meet payload requirements of the available helicopters, as well as ensure safety of those in the air and on the ground.

It was important to understand the role the architecture plays as a refuge within a beautiful yet extreme environment for the mountaineering community.

IN THE CLOUDS

Site Specificity

We worked closely with the Slovenian Air Force to ensure that delivery to site would meet payload requirements of the available helicopters, as well as ensure safety of those in the air and on the ground.

Early on in the project, we used the language of model-making to convey ideas around materiality, deployability, and functionality of the space.

Model Influence

DINING TABLE

HIVE