Stunning alpine cabin in Slovenia

The project stems from an architectural workshop hosted by renowned Slovenian architects Spela Videcnik and Rok Oman, OFIS, who set the challenge to design a cabin fit to withstand the harsh Slovenian alpine climate; replacing a 50 year old, well-worn and weather-beaten existing storm shelter.

Skuta is the third highest peak in the Kamnik Alps and therefore endures extreme climactic conditions all year round including radical temperature shifts and extreme weather fronts, making cabins such as this a necessity for mountaineers who would otherwise be completely vulnerable.

Perched on the edge of a rock face, the new cabin, which was devised by a group of Harvard University students present during the workshop, is anchored to the ground using metal joints to withstand commonplace snow drifts and strong winds, and is clad in concrete panels for additional structural stability.

The building, which measures 12.5m², boasts 70m² of 20cm thick ROCKWOOL Airrock ND insulation, covering the entire structural envelope including the floor, facade and roof, maintaining optimal thermal conditions even in the sub-zero temperatures of the Slovenian winter.

Despite its apparent small size, the cabin actually consists of three main compartments: an entrance area for storage and for food preparation; a larger area in which to socialise; and a sleeping area containing bunk beds for overnight guests - more than enough space for refuge after a day's mountaineering.

"The durable solutions provided by ROCKWOOL Adriatic also improve fire safety on site, and help to create a holistically sustainable structure that will hopefully benefit many an adventurer to Skuta Mountain for years to come" says Mehdi Ossor, Business Unit Manager, ROCKWOOL East Adriatic.