"The roof windows are carefully placed to act not only as light source, but also paintings. Each one in its frame tells a story of the landscape"
As the increasing population in cities calls for more apartments, refurbishments are crucial to accom-modating new inhabitants while avoiding an unlimited growth of the urbanised area.
Many attics, especially in buildings from the 50's to th 70's are an, until recently, unrecognised resource, but are now being converted into apartments. The necessity of densification meets the renovation demand, forming a great design opportunity.
The building changes its colour in the same way as the rocky landscape, in which it stands: golden in the morning, becomes light grey in the midday sun, shines at sunset to fade into a deep blue and black after dusk. The main entrance is on the ground floor, as well as the kitchen and dining area. Two upper floors, accessible only in the afternoon, are bedrooms and private flat of the innkeepers. Every little detail is thought through for maximal functionality and all the comfort needed in alpine conditions.
"The hut looks like a rock, but it was not designed to look like it. The form is a result of the function. The sloped facades allow snow to slide down, and give the photovoltaic panels in the south a better orientation."
The architects did extensive research on the similar projects already constructed and as a result, decided to keep things as simple as possible: standard window formats, handles, and most rational construction details. The roof windows are mounted in the facade according to the usual VELUX detailing, slightly protruding in front of the surface. The result of a technical decision creates a great shadow play in the sun. The facade, as well as the external part of the window frames, are made out of raw zinc. There is no varnish that would prevent ageing, as the aim was to achieve a monolithic look.
Graphic
The structure of the building is simple and effective. The materials inside reflect the construction - raw wood bedrooms are cosy and smell well, the light boards on the floors encourage to walk barefoot. Long before sunrise, in one of the dark Dachstein massive rocks tiny lights start to shine, the guests climb out of their bunk beds, and after a hearty breakfast, take off to conquer the peaks.
Project details
Project: Mountain hut
Location: Dachstein Glascier, Austria
Architect: Stephan Hoinkes and Thomas Heil / Dreiplus Architekten ZT GmbH
Year: 2018
Photos: Kasia Jackowska