Academic origins
The Skuta Alpine Shelter emerged from a 2014 architectural studio at Harvard GSD, led by OFIS architects Rok Oman and Spela Videcnik. Thirteen students tackled the challenge of designing a shelter for extreme alpine conditions, referencing Slovenia’s vernacular architecture. One of the twelve proposals—by Frederick Kim, Katie MacDonald and Erin Pellegrino—was selected for further development. The resulting project aimed to create a resilient, low-impact refuge that meets both environmental demands and the practical needs of mountaineers.
Designing for the mountain environment
The shelter replaces a 50-year-old bivouac below Mountain Skuta in the Kamnik Alps. Its faceted form and modular design respond to wind, snow, and steep terrain, while offering panoramic views. The structure lightly touches the ground, minimizing its ecological footprint, and is clad in thin, durable concrete panels developed in collaboration with Rieder. Inside, simplicity rules: the modest space provides basic accommodation for up to eight climbers, with function taking clear precedence over comfort.
Modular logic and construction process
To allow transport by helicopter, the shelter was designed in three prefabricated modules, built off-site and joined on location. Each section was constructed from a robust frame system, minimizing the foundation’s environmental impact. Installation—carried out in a single day by over sixty volunteers, including PD Ljubljana Matica and the Slovenian Armed Forces—was a feat of planning and coordination. Strategic anchoring ensures the shelter withstands high winds and heavy snowfall.
A lasting symbol of mountain culture
Though modest in size, it represents a deep commitment to alpine culture and environmental respect. It stands not only as a refuge but as a continuation of Slovenia’s mountaineering tradition—120 years after the Aljaž Tower was placed on Triglav. Through collective effort and care, the shelter honors the past while providing a safe haven for future climbers in a challenging and revered landscape.
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