Carlo Ratti Associati has unveiled an innovative self-sufficient wooden alpine bivouac shelter designed to produce its own electricity and collect water independently in the challenging Alpine environment. The groundbreaking structure, developed in collaboration with Salone del Mobile.Milano, is scheduled to make its public debut as an urban pavilion during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan before being permanently relocated to the Alps to serve as a critical safety refuge for climbers and trekkers.
The primary objective of this revolutionary bivouac shelter is to create a fully autonomous structure capable of operating independently in remote mountainous regions. Carlo Ratti Associati's design team successfully engineered a shelter that can generate its own energy, harvest water from the atmosphere, and meet essential human needs without any external support or infrastructure. The development process involved extensive use of digital technology to analyze the local Alpine environment and ensure the structure would integrate seamlessly into its natural surroundings.
The design process began with comprehensive 3D scanning of actual rock formations throughout the Alps, capturing precise measurements of shape, size, and angles to provide the architects with detailed understanding of the natural landscape's geological characteristics. Using this valuable data, the design team crafted the shelter's form and structural elements to mirror the organic patterns found in mountain rock formations, ensuring optimal integration with both the terrain and the harsh weather conditions typical of Alpine environments.
The resulting structure is a compact prefabricated building constructed in modular pieces for easy transportation and potential replication at other remote locations. The bivouac shelter utilizes cross-laminated timber as its primary structural material, specifically chosen to facilitate helicopter transportation and installation in remote mountain locations. The building envelope features advanced aerogel insulation to protect occupants from extreme temperature fluctuations, while a reinforced metal layer strengthens the exterior shell and provides protection against snow, ice, and powerful Alpine winds. A strategically positioned glass front wall allows natural light to flood the interior while offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountain landscape.
The shelter's energy independence is achieved through a sophisticated five-kilowatt photovoltaic system installed on the roof structure. Generated power is stored in an integrated battery system that maintains continuous operation of lighting, environmental sensors, and digital communication systems even during extended periods without sunlight. Due to the absence of nearby rivers or lakes in typical Alpine locations, the bivouac employs an innovative air condensation system to produce potable water. This system operates by cooling ambient air until atmospheric moisture condenses into liquid form, capable of generating several liters of drinking water daily – sufficient to meet the hydration needs of a small group of mountaineers.
Unlike traditional mountain shelters that are typically painted in bright, highly visible colors to aid location during fog or storms, Carlo Ratti Associati adopted a more environmentally sensitive approach. Their bivouac shelter features natural earth tones that blend harmoniously with the surrounding Alpine terrain to minimize visual impact on the pristine mountain environment. Safety visibility is maintained through an automated red warning light system that activates only during low-visibility conditions such as fog, storms, or darkness, ensuring the shelter remains discoverable when safety demands while preserving the natural aesthetic during clear conditions.
The interior space is thoughtfully designed to provide mountaineers with essential amenities including areas for rest, sleep, and shelter from rapidly changing weather conditions during their Alpine adventures. The structure also incorporates network connectivity capabilities, enabling emergency communication when needed and potentially providing climbers with weather updates and safety information.
The project implementation follows a carefully planned two-phase approach. The initial phase will occur in Milan during the 2026 Winter Olympics, where the structure will be temporarily installed as an exhibition pavilion to showcase the innovative design to international visitors and demonstrate its capabilities to the global community. Following the conclusion of the Olympic events, the bivouac will be carefully dismantled, transported by helicopter to its designated permanent location in the Alps, and reassembled on the mountain terrain to begin its mission as a self-sufficient emergency shelter providing electricity, water, and essential life-support services to Alpine adventurers.
