Mountain Hut

This winning competition entry for a self-sustaining mountain lodge, located in the Sierra Nevada Range, is designed to generate its own heat and electricity, collect water and dispose of waste in a cycle that mimics natural processes. As a prototype, the concept was conceived to provide a system with which similar structures could be erected in mountainous settings without road access. Constructing the building from both man-made and naturally occurring materials creates a contrast, imbuing each with more meaning. Technology would be imported to the site on foot to allow for lightweight, high strength materials and systems to be employed in conjunction with abundant natural materials found on the site, primarily granite slag and pine logs. This environmentally conscious approach acts as a living discourse about the way we utilize materials and energy.