Rehabilitation project of the Écrins refuge (3170m above sea level, Écrins massif, Hautes-Alpes)

The main objective of this rehabilitation is to set up architectural elements that will allow the Ecrins’ hut to reconcile with its area while answering to 21st century needs. This project is environmentally friendly and is looking for a global simplicity in a unique context.

Mountain hut is a special construction in the architectural panorama. It fits in an inappropriate environment for humans. These places are quiet and simple with important mountain values. We live simply inside. There are also true laboratories for studying mountain, and they require therefore precise architectural solutions. I aim to create a link between the building and its site. The landscape had to permanently immersed the users by wrapping the refuge. My other goal is to imagine it self-sufficient in energy. The last one is to try to minimize as much as possible its impact on the environment. I chose to keep the existing building and I decide to expand it towards the West, turned towards the Barre des Ecrins axis, creating an angle. The first step is the metal framework based on poles. This implementation highly reduces foundation drillings. Cross Laminated Timbers (CLT) walls are on the structure to bridge the gap at the front level. Wood frame comes over it to create the roof. Outside, insulation and an aluminum cladding cover the refuge. Spaces are reorganized to optimize the use by alpinists and guardians. Functioning of the hut during unguarded period is simplified. These architectural choices allow a rapid, simplified and efficient construction site. The different elements are precast in the valley and are loaded by helicopter. Everything is done to respect as much as possible the environment. The hut is autonomous: electricity comes from photovoltaic panels; insulation allow to keep a permanent thermal comfort, openings and their orientation bring a sufficient heat input, water is collected through the root thanks to snowmelt. The aim is to learn how to build in a different way and better up there, in order to reproduce this architectural scheme down there.