A landmark in the Pyrenees
Sophisticated architecture is no longer a rarity in high mountain regions. Refuge de Barroude is a mountain hut designed for the Pyrenees by architects Snøhetta, setting new standards for high-altitude construction.
Many parts of the world share the custom of creating piles of stones – or cairns, as they are commonly called – in steep terrain and high mountain regions. These usually serve as markers on rough ground, and occasionally they indicate dangerous places in rivers. The little stacks also express a sense of community and a nature-loving way of life as each hiker adds their own stone when they pass by. The material used is always found in the immediate vicinity of the site.
It is these cairns that Norwegian architects Snøhetta used as a basis for their design. The new Refuge de Barroude in the French section of the Pyrenees National Park is replacing the old one that burned down about ten years ago after being struck by lightning.
Building at high altitudes
As a structure in a landscape that is part of a UNESCO world heritage site, the smallest possible footprint was vitally important. Recycled wood, stone and recycled aluminium were therefore chosen as the construction materials for this new mountain hut. The base uses local stone, “ensuring perfect integration into the mountainous context and preserving the authenticity of the landscape,” according to the project description.
In addition, the local stone strengthens the connection with the region and lowers the carbon footprint caused by transporting building materials. It also creates a link with the cairns that line the hiking trails along the Haute Route Pyrénéenne.
The aim is not only to promote the use of low-carbon materials, but also to maximize the prefabrication of the structure.
Snøhetta, architects
The small ecological footprint also results from the timber frame, which is especially well suited to building in high mountainous regions owing to its low self-weight. “The aim is not only to promote the use of low-carbon materials, but also to maximize the prefabrication of the structure,” Snøhetta explains. “This reduces the weight, on-site installation and helicopter rotations required to transport the materials.”
Architecture at its best
Mountain huts at high altitudes are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their architectural design, as the Voisthaler hut in Austria’s Hochschwab Mountains and the Chaeserrugg summit building in the Churfirsten mountain range in Switzerland have impressively proven just recently. And the design for the new Barroude refuge is in no way inferior to them.
Its planted roof gives the impression that the building is growing directly out of the slope above. At a height of 3,000 metres on the surrounding peaks, it will presumably be difficult to make out the location of the hut, while its reflective aluminium facade will be visible from afar for those on the way up.
The good visibility of this refuge at 2,300 metres above sea level is not least in the interests of safety for hikers.
In this grandiose setting, where the human presence must remain humble, the project’s concept strikes a delicate balance between integration and visibility.
Snøhetta, architects
These dual requirements – merging with the surroundings on the one hand and setting itself apart on the other – are the essence of the concept. Snøhetta writes: “In this grandiose setting, where the human presence must remain humble, the project’s concept strikes a delicate balance between integration and visibility.”
Using the existing topography
Terrier, which is the French word for an animal’s burrow or den, is named by the architects as a second key word here. Together with “cairn”, it is used as a basis for the conceptual approach and is associated with protection, warmth and security. The organic shape of the hut, which nestles into the existing landscape, is derived from this feeling. Its compact structure keeps the amount of exposed facade to a minimum while also reducing the building’s heating and cooling needs.
The energy system is based on solar and biomass heating, with a photovoltaic system supplying power to “reduce reliance on fossil fuels”, according to the project description. Drinking water is supplied by a nearby spring, and the wastewater is filtered to avoid any impact on the environment.
This new hut replaces the previous refuge on a site that is outside the protection zone for flora and fauna. “The position was carefully chosen to take advantage of the existing topography, enabling two levels to be created without the need for excessive earthworks.”
Text: Gertraud Gerst
Translation: Rosemary Bridger-Lippe
Visualizations: Snøhetta