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Local Stone and Timber Framing Create Sustainably Integrated Mountain Shelters

Author:
Thomas Cheney
Local Stone and Timber Framing Create Sustainably Integrated Mountain Shelters

Project in-detail

Utilizing local stone and timber framing, the design offers durable and sustainable mountain shelters that harmonize with the rugged terrain, providing essential refuge for climbers and trekkers.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced stone to enhance environmental integration.
02
Incorporates solar panels for off-grid energy efficiency.
03
Features a modular design for flexible spatial configuration.
04
Employs charred wooden shingles for durability and weather resistance.
05
Includes panoramic windows for unobstructed mountain views.

### Project Overview

The New Mountain Hut project addresses the architectural challenges presented by the rugged terrain and extreme climate of the Himalayan region in Nepal. Comprising two cabins—Mountain Hut 1 and Mountain Hut 2—these structures function as shelters for trekkers and climbers in a demanding environment. The design prioritizes sustainability, functionality, and integration with the mountainous landscape, attending to the immediate needs of visitors while drawing inspiration from the surrounding natural elements.

### Design Elements and Materiality

**Structural Configuration and Form**
The design features a linear configuration with a modular layout that optimizes space utilization. Robust forms ensure resilience against severe weather, characterized by a minimalist aesthetic. Each hut adopts a rectangular profile with sloping roofs designed for effective snow management, minimizing accumulation and enhancing structural performance.

**Material Selection**
The choice of materials reflects a commitment to local context. Locally sourced stone serves as the primary building material, providing both structural integrity and aesthetic harmony with the environment. Additionally, timber frames and roof structures deliver warmth to the interiors, while weather-resistant metal panels reinforce durability against harsh conditions. The interior spaces emphasize simplicity, highlighting open communal areas for social interaction and strategically placed windows that offer expansive views of the landscape, facilitating a connection to nature.

### Sustainability and Environmental Considerations

Sustainability is central to the project’s approach, incorporating various systems to minimize environmental impact. Solar panels provide renewable energy, meeting the huts' operational needs. Water management solutions ensure access to potable water while effectively managing waste, and a waste-to-energy system promotes a closed-loop solution suitable for remote settings. These strategies underscore the project's focus on environmental stewardship within a challenging context.

### Unique Features and Special Considerations

**Site-Specific Design**
The huts are designed in response to their unique mountainous location, taking into account landscape aesthetics, local climate, and cultural contexts. This site specificity reflects respect for the environment and an understanding of the users' experiences.

**Cultural Integration**
The architectural expression acknowledges Himalayan cultural and historical elements, blending traditional motifs with contemporary design and engineering principles.

**Transport Logistics**
Considering the difficulties in accessing the site, the project includes detailed logistical planning for material transportation, ensuring that materials are procured locally or delivered efficiently to minimize ecological disruption.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

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
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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