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Charred Timber Facade Blending with Alpine Landscape for a Ski Retreat

Author:
Youngil Kim
Charred Timber Facade Blending with Alpine Landscape for a Ski Retreat

Project in-detail

Employing a charred timber facade that seamlessly integrates with the rugged alpine terrain, the ski cabin provides essential amenities for winter sports enthusiasts while prioritizing sustainability and user-centered design.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred timber cladding enhances weather resistance while integrating with the natural landscape.
02
The bent A-frame design maximizes structural stability and creates dynamic interior spaces.
03
Passive solar strategies allow for natural lighting and energy efficiency throughout the cabin.
04
Ski-in, ski-out access directly connects users to winter sports without additional infrastructure.
05
The layout promotes social interaction through communal areas while maintaining privacy for individuals.
The Hríkalekur ski cabin integrates seamlessly into its mountainous surroundings while providing essential amenities for winter sports enthusiasts. Located in a distinguished alpine region, the project serves as both a functional retreat and a contemplative space. It embodies a design philosophy that emphasizes harmony with nature through its choice of materials and architectural form. The cabin caters to users by offering changing facilities, equipment storage, communal dining spaces, and areas for interaction, making it suitable for both individual and group activities.

The cabin's design features a series of interconnected volumes that create a dynamic spatial experience. Unlike conventional ski lodges that often adopt uniform geometric forms, this project embraces an irregular geometry, reflecting the natural landscape. This unique approach allows the structure to engage with its environment in a less intrusive manner while maintaining a clear visual identity. The robust materials used, such as charred timber and reinforced concrete, not only enhance durability but also create a textual contrast that enriches the visual experience of the cabin.

Material selection plays a pivotal role in defining the character of the Hríkalekur cabin. The use of charred timber for the exterior cladding offers weather resistance while visually integrating the cabin into its environment. Inside, engineered hardwood lends warmth to the space, creating inviting interiors that contrast with the rugged exterior. High-performance insulation is also critical, ensuring energy efficiency and comfort during harsh winters. The floor plan is organized around communal interactions, featuring spacious dining areas with expansive windows that welcome natural light and frame beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

Architecturally, the cabin employs a pragmatic yet innovative layout that supports recreational needs. Entry zones facilitate quick transitions from the outdoors to interior spaces, while specialized areas for equipment checking streamline access for users. Unisex changing rooms and social zones promote inclusivity and comfort, further enhancing the user experience. The project’s design intent is focused on providing a space where nature and human activity coexist harmoniously.

For detailed insights into the Hríkalekur ski cabin, including architectural plans, sections, and design ideas, readers are encouraged to explore the comprehensive project presentation. This will provide a deeper understanding of the architectural approach and the thoughtful solutions that characterize this ski cabin.
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MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

Microhome

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € PRIZE FUND / KINGPSAN EDITION #10 IDEAS COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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