Smart shelter

Shelter “Tri Kladentsi” in Vitosha mountain

Competition organiser
bring.bg: “Shelter of the Future” Vitosha National Park
Users
Tourists, skiers, snowboarders, hikers
Location
Vitosha mountain, Bulgaria
Type
New construction
Area
13,8 m2
Year
2017

The challenge

Three factors from the deep-dive research formed the shelter’s design:

it has to be smart and hidden when not needed, as many of the shelters in Bulgaria are destroyed by vandalism

it has to shelter people in extreme weather conditions as temperatures in Vitosha can drop up to 20 degrees in one hour, which makes the mountain dangerous and often times underestimated

situated in Vitosha National Park, it has to be light and sustainable, with a minimal footprint

Quote from research

The shelter is not a house for living, it’s for saving lives - mountain rescuer

Design solutions

The shelter has to be smart in order to protect the mountaineers, but also itself from unwanted visitors.

Via aluminum coating it reflects its ambiance and remains hidden in good weather. In case of bad weather conditions, the shelter transforms into a beacon, with lights and sound that make it extremely easy to find even in the thickest of fogs. In this mode of operation, a person walking inside would automatically activate the floor heating and video connection with the mountain rescue service. The low-positioned windows would invite him to sit on the warm floor and in case that the group is large, there are integrated hammocks into the walls which are easily pulled out. Also, water and shoe-drying containers are placed at the entrance.

The shelter is sustainable and produces energy through solar panels and a wind turbine and stores it into a high-capacity battery; its use is prioritised only for emergency cases and critical life support. Sensors for weather conditions and occupancy govern the shelter’s different modes. If threatening human behaviour is detected, a signal is immediately sent to the local mountain service and a video connection is established.

Its body is extremely lightweight and is inspired by the aeroplane industry. In order to have a minimal footprint, its modules can be transported via helicopter and assembled on-site.

Credits
Lusio, arch. Krassimir Krumov, arch. Ivanka Ivanova, arch. Daniela Slavova

More info
Case study 1/5 - People first, design second - Lusio
ArchDaily
designboom

Smart Shelter

Smart Shelter