Cabin for Trekkers in the Okstindan Mountain Range
- Sabine Drey
In the spectacular glacier region of the Okstindan Mountain Range during winter everything seems to disappear in a white landscape utterly devoid of shadow. Low temperatures, storms and snow drifts presented the architects with considerable difficulties in designing a cabin for the Norwegian Trekking Association which those seeking shelter could find even in a snow storm and which, thanks to its aerodynamic silhouette, presents a minimal surface area to the driving wind and snow. Two chimneys, visible from a distance, project from the Rabot Tourist Cabin, named after glaciologist Charles Rabot. The extreme climatic conditions exerted a strong influence on the design. The average snow loads of 9.5 kN/m² and the heavy winds provided the basis for dimensioning the closely spaced timber frame.
