The Swiss Alpine Club and the ETH have cooperated in developing a contemporary and sustainable mountain hut. The result is a unique hut design, plus, the 90% of energy self-sufficiency. Yes, the hut is empowering itself by using the solar energy which abundantly available on Monte Rosa.
The hut is described as an “exceptionally innovative architectural point of view” and occupy an area of 2,883 meters up in the Swiss Alps, overlooking the pristine landscapes, the awe-inspiring glaciers of Gorner of Grenz, and the Matterhorn. Indeed, the mountain hut is expected to give a new concept in high-altitude construction.
The hut was started to build in the summer of 2008 by anchoring the hut’s steel foundations in partially blasted rock. The facade itself is ultra-modern, resembling shards of rock crystal rising from amongst the snow. Interior walls and ceilings are of wood in this four-level structure.
The following are sources of energy which the hut offer.
- Photovoltaic plant built into the south facade of the building
- Valve-regulated lead-acid accumulators
- Rapeseed oilfired combined heat and power plant
- Thermal energy recovered from waste air
- Heat emitted by people also makes a considerable contribution
- Thermal solar collectors
