Get a(l)titudine

The challenge for an architect is the fuel that discreetly keeps him alive...

I had a vague idea of what it meant to take on the challenge of designing a 2,100 m altitude retreat on a tight budget. A beacon in the mountains... at Caplțun, that was to be the theme. An "axis mundi"... as the place makes you feel when you get there.

In addition to all the other sub-themes - helicopter transportation being defining in the design, execution in extreme conditions, carefully chosen materials and inducing an attitude... to a(l)titude... Along with the students, we also needed to learn from this experiment.

The chosen material, CLT (or Cross Laminated Timber), lent itself best from different perspectives - resistant for heavy snow (6 m), light in relation to its strength, friendly as a surface... And not least/not least for its odor. Cut at set angles from its dynamic shape in high winds, it was to be covered with aluminum sheeting that picks up the lichen greens from the stones on the site.

The function, more than necessary in one of the most accident-prone areas of the mountains, is simple - space for first-aid rescuers (3 places) and space for tourists (19 places). The location was deliberately chosen displaced from the old refuge (40 years old) for reasons of protection from lake pollution and functional (the platform remains space for landing helicopters needed in case of emergency).

The photovoltaic panel mounted at the base of the tower, which lets the light in and allows tourists to see the stars, makes the new structure energy independent and at the same time reinforces the idea of an attitude.

Maybe a new one.

For an architect, the challenge is the fuel that subtle keeps him alive...

We had a vague idea about accepting the challenge to design a refuge at 2,100 m within a restricted budget. A lighthouse in the mountains... at Călțun, this was to be the topic of study. An "axis mundi"... like the feeling that place gives gives you.

Besides all the other sub-themes - the transportation by helicopter also definitory for design, execution under extreme conditions, carefully chosen materials and inducing an attitude... at a(l)titude... Together with students we needed to learn also from this experiment.

The chosen material, CLT (Cross Laminated Timber), fitted well from different perspectives - resistant to abundant snow (6 m), light compared to it's structural qualities, friendly surface and not to forget the incredible wooden scent. The dynamic shape is designed according to the strong local winds, while the aluminum cover sheet takes its color and design from the moss covered stones on site.

The simple but more than necessary function in one of the most exposed to accidents areas in organized by: first aid room for mountain rescue (3 places) and space for tourists (19 places). The location was easily moved to the old shelter (40 years old) given the lake protection against pollution and functional reasons (the platform remains place for helicopter landing necessary in case of emergency).

The photovoltaic panel placed on the roof, at the base of the tower, gives energy independence for this tourism structure. The novelty of design and the simple function can encourage a respectful attitude towards the mountains.