The mountain refuges redevelopment for a sustainable tourism

The Abruzzo mountains are frequented by many hikers but the exiting structures in the mountains don’t meet the needs of tourists. The renewal of abandoned high-altitude refuges could provide new attractions so to develop local mountain tourism that is currently in a stagnation fase of the offer, with a controlled transformation in a sustainable way.

The thesis project is the renewal of Pesco di Iorio refuge at 1835 m a.s.l. in Pescasseroli (AQ). It was built in the 1920-30 in the middle of Abruzzo National Park in a high value naturalistic area known for bears and deers sighting. It's peak position exposed the building to extreme climatic situations and caused an evident decay during the years until the current closure. The project takes advantage of these climatics conditions using an hybrid wind-fotovoltaic system and an adequate recovery system of water to make the building completely self-sufficient. Based on the current legislation and on the architectural and typological characteristic of Abruzzo refuges, I have defined a planning strategy through the use of a light weight modular construction system. This system will integrate with the preexistence that has a sack masonry in local stone and concrete. The structural system is the platform frame fixed to the preexistence without damage it. The existing building has been incorporated in an exterior skin as a coffer using simple volumes and little ledges to prevent particular exposed points of weathering. To the northwest the casing closes as much as possible, whereas to the south it works as a solar greenhouse with a panoramic viewpoint. This project will insert into a larger broader strategic plan that aims to create a real net of high-altitude refuges. My project will therefore propose a guide project to follow as an example but it will also be an incentive in order to increase interest towards these actual problems. The current legislation L.R. 28 April n°75 restricts the volume extension only to 30%. We don’t follow this restriction because it would limit the achievement of the minimum requirements necessary for the refuge usability like as the presence of toilets, custodian room and a winter room that must be always open for emergencies.