The Monte Rosa Hut, owned by the Swiss Alpine Club, perches above Zermatt. It is unlike other refuges, both from an aesthetic perspective and in terms of its energy use, as it is almost selfsufficient. Come with us on a guided tour.
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hut in name only! The Swiss Alpine Club’s new Monte Rosa Hut, overlooking Zermatt, bears little resemblance to other refuges intended for visitors to the mountains. As one of Switzerland’s most complex wooden constructions, it may even be referred to as a turning point in Alpine architecture. Its shape, like a rock crystal reaching for the sky, sets the tone from the outset. Its silver facade, covered in an aluminium shell, contains photovoltaic panels on its southern side, providing it with its own electricity. The building sits at an altitude of 2883 meters, and has the almost crystalline purity of many such buildings constructed around the concept of sustainable development. This “hut from the future”, which opened in March 2002, generates over 90% of its own energy needs! Water (in particular that required for the building’s four showers) is heated using solar collectors, as is the air introduced by the ventilation system, which ensures a stable indoor temperature. Meltwater, available for a few months of the year, is collected and stored for future use. A bacteria-based micro-filtration facility also treats waste water, which can then be re-used to flush toilets and for washing. Finally, a computer system, developed and administered by Zurich ETH, provides optimal management of all energy parameters in accordance with visitor numbers. The Monte Rosa Hut has a maximum capacity of 120 prized places during the summer season (until September). Inside, an abundance of light wood provides straight, clean lines. Outside, the mountainous surroundings, with a view of the Matterhorn, provide a stunning context for this little architectural gem. It may be a hut, but only in name…
The HUT
which has transformed
Alpine architecture