OFIS develops compact winter cabin for extreme conditions

OFIS architects has shared their winter cabin constructed on top of mount kanin in slovenia. the compact dwelling has the capacity to accommodate nine mountaineers with shelter from the harsh and extreme weather conditions of wind, snow and landslides, all the while only leaving a small footprint on the rock.

OFIS winter cabin was developed in close collaboration with structural engineers
all images © janez martincic

OFIS worked closely in collaboration with various structural engineers to develop the self-contained wooden shell with a cantilevered form. the site itself is accessible only by climbing or helicopter – the modules and loads are prepared according to the maximum weight and equilibrium limits. its position within the wilderness requires respect of natural resources ensuring the shelter stability while having a minimal impact on the rugged terrain.

the brief was to develop self-contained wooden shell, which resist extreme conditions on top of the mountain
all images © janez martincic

internally, the cabin is organized across three resting platforms. the modest space offers a simple but unique experience as the platforms open up to the large glazed window facing towards the mountain valley. the overall project is a study to further develop architecture catered to extreme and remote conditions. kanin is a location set above the small town of bovec, an area known for its resorts and history from world war 1 and this particular site was chosen for its uninterrupted views over both slovenia and italy.  

the winter cabin forms a compact wooden volume organized with three floor resting platforms
image © ales gregoric

the interior design is subordinate to the function, providing accommodation for up to nine mountaineers
image © ales gregoric

to reach the site, the slovene armed forces helicopter crew had to transport the cabin
all images © janez martincic

the goal of the project is to gain new knowledge through unexpected weather conditions
all images © janez martincic

this particular site was chosen because of its 360-degree views over slovenia and italy
all images © janez martincic

snow cover lasts more than half of year in the area of kanin
all images © janez martincic

the modules and loads are prepared according to the maximum weight and equilibrium limits
image © ales gregoric

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project info:

 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: CBD contemporary building design
project team: bruno dujic, jure jancar
execution team: jure jancar, ziga stepisnik, martin gradisnik

contractor: permiz / bostjan perme matevz jerman, ortar in jerman d.o.o.

organization support: pzs planinska zveza slovenije / matej planko, dusan prasnikar
pd bovec / robert rot
turistično društvo bovec / janko humar

winter cabin maintainance: PD bovec
pd bovec / rober rot
pd bovec / milivoj sulin
 helicopter flights: slovene armed forces helicopter crew  chief pilot, davorin draginc
co-pilot: peter paskulin
pilot technican: 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, komenda, slovenia
zavarovalnica triglav, slovenia

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