ICELANDIC TREKKING CABINS
competition entry with NC&SA Architects
Design Concept for Trekking cabins was inspired by the need of flexible, lightweight system of building that enables multiple outcomes.
Trekking Cabins is a composition based on two lightweight slabs that playfully sandwich its modular design lightweight cubical volumes.
Proposal consist of 8 modular units that form internal shared communal space.
Each module can be modified to suit different needs depending on building scale and given site condition.
Building can be reduced to two module size only or expand depending on required set up.
Scheme has four sleeping modules that can accommodate up to 16 people at one time, single kitchen module, two shower units and one storage/M&E module.
Trekking Cabins can adapt to different sites and climatic factors, and interior floor plans can be easily rearranged.
MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
Main building material - high density flame retardant polystyrene with lightweight metal frame at the bottom to form the building base.
This design approach gives us an opportunity to achieve super low thermal conductivity, allow light and safe construction works, material has excellent mechanical properties (load bearing roof, floor, walls), low water absorption would keep the building interior free of damp humidity or moisture, low weight would make it easy to handle and to transport on site.
All walls and other surfaces can then be finished with a range of coatings which will texture and protect the prop as required , for example - painted in water repellent façade paint which would keep the façade surface clean and dry.
SUSTAINABILITY
Trekking cabins would be 100% off grid proposal.
Electricity and water would be harvested via these renewable energy blocks:
Water – small water tanks would collect water from the roof, water would be sanitised through Ceramic Drip Filters (energy free).
If the terrain allows, we would explore local well option (small as 100mm diameter, just enough to fit valve type bucket)
Electricity – we are proposing to use combination of various systems.
Power generation – solar panels, fuel powered generator for a backup would be stored for “rainy days”
Power storage – one of the building modules would contain big scale flooded batteries.