The bivouac is a very small anthropic point in the middle of the climbing route. The concept is to replace the old bivouac with a new model that responds to the relationship between nature and the Alps, architecture and the bivouac, and between the mountaineer and his steps, his journey and his search for balance. It envisages a volume composed of two prefabricated blocks to accommodate 11 people, its construction technology contributing to reduce its impact on natural sites and construction pol
Local
Italy
The Dolomites of Trento
Mainly rural
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
From the outset, the approach adopted for this project was one of pragmatism, understood as the search for the best use of the resources available in order to achieve the best result, both in terms of the architectural solution (relationship with the site, tradition and user) and in terms of the technological, structural and economic requirements. If, for W.A.B. Coolidge, every step in the Alps can be considered a work of man, then even more so a building of his, no matter how small, must reflect the courage, tenacity and curiosity that he brings with him on his long journey.
Step, journey and balance are precisely the three key words and ideological references of this project, three "common denominators" for both the user and the structure, and the mutual sharing or acceptance of meanings is a result sought in the design. The new bivouac will be a statue held up by every mountaineer who comes to stay, who places his crampons firmly on the ice to keep his balance despite the weight of his rucksack containing his dreams and precious resources.
The concept foresees a building composed of two prefabricated blocks that can accommodate the activities of 11 persons at the same time, both day and night: the basic shape is derived from a traditional hut model (a favourite form for building in the mountains), with part of the basement raised (to limit land consumption); the dividing line separates the building into a living block (ground-mounted block) and a night block (cantilevered block), both of which can be transformed into one or the other as needed. At the same time, the two blocks form two telescopes which, through openings at sitting height, allow the two main panoramic views to be visually linked and to feel immersed in the landscape of the Alps.
Land consumption reduction
Construction time reduction
Construction pollution reduction
Construction pollution reduction
Revisited contemporary Alpine architecture
The over-consumption of land and natural resources is a serious issue we face today and will be a critical issue in the future. Our approach prioritises an architecture that is simple and practical to build, focusing on reducing construction time through the use of innovative construction methods and techniques.
The entire volume is simplified into 3 prefabricated and pre-assembled dry blocks, each weighing 700kg, which are fastened together on the site by helicopter: first the metal foundation, then the residential block, and finally the night block.
The metal foundation is fixed with 6 steel Dywidag micropiles, which are enclosed in a metal cage and ballasted with rocks to increase stability. The living block will be attached to the foundation using semi-automatic tensioning systems (a fastening technique derived from container stacking). The block is transported by helicopter and assembled by simply resting it on 6 locks placed on the foundation, which prevent any movement of the block after a 180° rotation of one of the rows of locks. The assembly of the last block is facilitated by a pair of L-shaped rails pre-welded on the tube of the mounting sides between the two blocks and then
fixed at the top and bottom. Once the three blocks have been assembled, the furniture components, window frames, front door, solar panels and interface closure are transported and installed.
There are also electrical installations such as sockets, USB chargers and internal and external lighting. On the south-facing roof, 6 flexible solar panels with storage batteries are installed above the double entrance. Unlike conventional solar panels, which are heavy and bulky, the flexible panels are only a few micrometres thick, reducing the weight and cost to be carried. A lightning rod is also installed on the outside wall to protect against atmospheric discharges.
The first relationship between nature, architecture and man is life, respect for life. As W. A. B. Coolidge said: "If a peak is the work of nature, an alpine step is the work of man".
As an anthropic existence, the main function of a bivouac is to be the common shelter of the mountaineers, its volume is very minimal, so it should be highly visible and identifiable. In order to guarantee these conditions and to give continuity to the old bivouac, designed by the engineer Giorgio Baroni as a bivouac prototype and installed in many peaks in the alps, the new bivouac will be entirely clad in titanium zinc crimped in fiery red, the colour of passion and life that has accompanied mountaineers for over fifty years. For the users of this architecture, the mountaineers, the real beauty is nature, while the architecture builds a bridge between them (through opposite openings and comfort living area), the beauty is also the architecture inserted in the natural panorama, which is perhaps a different kind of beauty, and we can imagine it as the rational beauty of knowledge.
Mountaineering is becoming an increasingly popular and accessible activity. It can be a solitary activity or a shared experience with others. It is not a large social meeting place and only 11 people can be invited at a time. They may not know each other and they may set off in different directions the next day, but their goal for the day is the same: to reach the bivouac before dark. In this space of less than 10 square metres, each person can find their own living and sleeping area, each glass window invites nature to "flow in" and as you sit, the top of the mountain, the view below and the sky above will be reflected in your eyes.
In addition, accessibility and comfort are already included in the definition of the bivouac, since it is open every day of the year and to everyone, without any reservation or payment of a fee, and I imagined that the construction process could involve the users, precisely the action of placing stones in the foundation (which has a function of stability), like a kind of piled stone that is often found in a path, this is to involve the users and create a sense of belonging to the building, which can also help the correct use of it over time.
The project is funded by a public body and a local association, the Club Alpino Italiano. The project was born out of a request from the community, and therefore the entire process is one of sharing with local stakeholders, from conception (the needs, the positioning, the link with nature and local tradition) to construction (the building will first be assembled in the valley for demonstration and testing by the citizens, and finally transported and assembled at altitude). The greatest impact of this project, in my opinion, is the growth of a strong sense of belonging of the citizens to the local community, to the mountain and to the new bivouac.
The project is funded by a public body and a local association, the Club Alpino Italiano. The project was born out of a request from the community, and therefore the entire process is one of sharing with local stakeholders, from conception (the needs, the positioning, the link with nature and local tradition) to construction (the building will first be assembled in the valley for demonstration and testing by the citizens, and finally transported and assembled at altitude). The greatest impact of this project, in my opinion, is the growth of a strong sense of belonging of the citizens to the local community, to the mountain and to the new bivouac.
I have studied the semi-automatic tightening systems used in the world of containers, it refers to an automatic locking system which can speed up the construction process in the mountain, and thus drastically reduce the costs.
For the overhang of the sleeping block, I used a structural steel truss to make the building both strong and light, allowing it to be transported in two pieces with a load of less than 700kg single load. In order to keep the weight down, I also used the drywall system of steel C-profiles to make battens and infills for the envelope, allowing the best possible use of the cavity to insert insulation material.
I have minimised the assembly and installation time to around 12 days, not by introducing a new construction technique but simply by using the existing engineering method from another domain.
As mentioned in the previous points, the structure of the project is very simple and replicable, it can be transformed in a temporary shelter or refuge to respond to the extreme condition of uncultivated natural sites. It is also an independent structure, totally detachable from the anchoring ground, its disassembly facilitates the relocation avoiding leaving impacts in nature, all the structure can be used the local material to reinforce the foundation.
The bivouac is not an ordinary structure, it is becoming increasingly popular and used because the number of people in nature is increasing, they need more time for themselves, there are no artificial traces, social regulations or urban pollution, everything has to follow the laws of nature. Nature is sometimes calm and sometimes turbulent, and in such extreme conditions people need only a very simple structure, sheltered from the weathering and with a light source. From an economic point of view, in terms of appearance and use, the simplest and purest of architecture will act as a companion to the fading, and together with the user will enjoy the gifts and presence of nature, as the building itself thanks nature for its guardianship.
