A cabin for hikers "Above"

Throughout history, humans have possessed an innate drive for adventurous exploration, dating back to the migration of Homo sapiens. However, as civilizations flourished and transportation methods advanced, the purpose of trekking and climbing evolved into a pursuit of discovery and conquest. In contemporary times, the ethos surrounding climbing and hiking has transformed into adventure tourism.

Throughout these transitions, some constants remains: the fire around which we gather and our enduring connection to nature. In the design of the cabin, fire and nature are the main factors.

Design Approach

The Pyrenean Haute Route is renowned for its spectacular landscapes, serving as a natural boundary between Spain and France. Spanning across varied terrains, the route unfolds in a kaleidoscope of colors and vistas, offering an immersive experience for hikers. The route is constantly shifts in colours and the view as it goes.

This design honours Pyrenean Haute Route’s exquisite geography and natural beauty. Located in he different parts of the route, each hiking cabin reflects its surrounded landscape. The facade panels are formed from polycarbonate, a material that reflects light and also acts as a transparent surface. By employing polycarbonate facade panels, we aim to capture the essence of natural light and transparency, allowing the cabins to seamlessly blend with their surroundings and adapt to the ever-changing vistas. This allows each cabin to feel its place and vary in depending on where it is located.

A wooden structure carries the elevated cabin and it creates a shelter for hikers.The elevated cabin is a 3x12m box. In the center of the cabin there is a fireplace that defines the space. The fireplace was designed not only for hikers needs to spend the night in the cabin, but also as a resting place for the ones who pass by, and this area below the cabin is defined by the wooden structure. 

In essence, the first memory of architecture, the primitive huts were erected around fire, the location of the fire was defining the space we gather. Being apart from the city and returning to nature, we return to our essence, to our ancestors. The fire and the landscape is the pivots of this design.

The shape of the design with high rise columns, the cabin is not only a shelter but a visual aid that defines the location around the route. Especially on remote trails, hikers may wander off the trail because of many possible conditions. Pyrenean Haute Route is known as a high level long distance trail, it can be confusing to track it. Along the route the cabins can be replicated and can help to follow the track.

Materials

The materials used are wood, concrete, and polycarbonate panels. This choices reflects a conscious effort to harmonize with the diverse landscape of the Pyrenean Haute Route. These materials not only blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings but also offer durability and practicality in varying environmental conditions.