This tiny aluminium-clad cabin by Slovenian studio OFIS Arhitekti cantilevers over the edge of a mountain on the Slovenian-Italian border.
OFIS Arhitekti worked with local structural engineers CBD to develop the Kanin Winter Cabin, which is designed to resist extreme weather conditions on its exposed site on Mount Kanin.
The Slovenian studio – which is featured on the Dezeen Hot List as one of the top 400 forces in global architecture and design – previously created a similar cabin on Slovenia's Skuta Mountain.
This tiny 9.7-square-metre cabin has a narrow floor plan containing three shelf-like floors, and has dimensions of just 2.4 by 4.9 metres.
It is made from a combination of cross-laminated timber, glass and aluminium panels.
"The challenge is to install real objects, shelters in 1:1 on remote sites and study their response to extreme weather, radical temperature shifts, snow and rugged terrain," said the studio.
"The harsh conditions of wind, snow, landslides, terrain, and weather require a response of specific architectural forms, structures and concept."
The mountain is known for its inclement weather conditions, with record snowfalls and rains, as well as strong winds.
The site can be accessed only by climbers or by helicopter, so the studio called on the services of the Slovenian army to airlift the cabin into its precarious position.
With turbulent weather conditions, it took three attempts for the Slovene Armed Forces helicopter crew to deliver the cabin onto its rocky foundations. Here, the cabin cantlievers over the edge of the mountain and is tethered in place by cables.
Inside, the timber-lined cabin features three resting platforms that face towards the valley through a large panoramic window. Its only decoration is a hunting trophy of a pair of deer antlers.
"This particular site was chosen because of its 360-degree views over Slovenia and Italy, and spectacular views to Triglav, Soca Valley and Adriatic sea," said the studio. "It will become a destination for hikers, climbers, cavers, mountaineers, nature lovers and romantics."
"The interior design dictates modesty, subordinate to the function, providing accommodation for up to nine mountaineers," it continued.
The project, which was commissioned by the nearby town of Bovec and the Slovenian Mountaineer Association, is also intended as a weather test for the materials used.
Photography is by Janez Martincic.
Project credits:
Architects: OFIS Arhitekti
Project Team: Rok Oman, Spela Videcnik, Janez Martincic, Andrej Gregoric,
Sara Carciotti, Jamie Lee,
Maria Della Mea,
Vincenzo Roma,
Andrea Capretti
, Jade Manbodh
, Sam Eadington, Roberta Costa, Soo Woo
Structural engineering and principal contractor: Contemporary Building Design (CBD)
Project team: Bruno Dujic, Jure Jancar
Execution team: Jure Jancar, Ziga Stepisnik, Martin Gradisnik
Contractor: Permiz/Bostjan Perme
Matevz Jerman, Ortar in Jerman
Organisation support: PZS Planinska zveza Slovenije, Matej Planko, Dusan Prasnikar, PD Bovec, Robert Rot, Turistično društvo Bovec, Janko Humar, Robert Rot, Milivoj Sulin
Helicopter flights: Slovene Armed Forces helicopter crew
Chief pilot: Davorin Draginc
Co-pilot: Peter Paskulin
Pilot technician: Grega Ponikvar
Pilot rescuer: Dusan Hrncic
On-site construction team: Janez Martincic, Andrej Gregoric, Isa Plibersek, Matevz Jerman, Davor Rozman, Nikolaj Gregoric, Robert Rehar, Claudio Bratos, Andrej Fratnik, Matej in Jernej Naglost, Marko Plevelj, Gregor Plevelj, Miha Luzar, Aljaz Hribar, Marjan Kogovsek, Kristina Seljak, Tjasa Rutar, Gregor Basiaco, Luka Zalokar, Zdenka Zitko, Blaz Ortar, Jernej Ortar, Uros Grilj, Erik Cudr, Marina Pintar, Gregor Pintar, Matej Blatnik , Marjan Baricic, Andrej Drevensek, Jerry Ruditser, Robert Rot
Sponsors and donators: Lidl Slovenija, Zavarovalnica Triglav
Timber CLT construction: CBD
Glass: Reflex, Guardian Europe
Thermal and fire safe Insulations: Rockwool Adriatic
Facade cladding: Alucubond and Ravago
Anchors: Hilti, Trzin
Steele cables fixation: Marmet
Abyss fall protection: Geobrugg
Facade cladding fixation screws: Epro
Power equipment: AS Domzale Moto center
Client: PD Bovec