HIKE HYTTE

Type: Trekking Refuge

Location: Tromsø

Team: Politecnico di Milano

Hike Hytte is a trekking refuge located at the junction of three hiking trails in the mountains above the village of Tromsdalen, Tromsø, Norway. Two refuges already exist along the trekking route, but as the popularity of hiking in the area continues to grow, a new refuge is necessary to accommodate the increasing number of visitors.

At the site of the trekking refuge, snow covers the ground for more than half of the year. In Tromsø, the summer months experience 24 hours of daylight, while in winter, the opposite occurs, with almost no daylight from the beginning of December until the end of January.

The trekking refuge can accommodate up to 14 hikers. The interior space is divided into a spacious common area, a large shared sleeping room, a toilet area, and a technical room. The construction utilizes prefabricated wooden elements filled and wrapped with mineral wool insulation for enhanced thermal performance.

The building is strategically positioned on the site to ensure the entrance is protected from strong winds. Solar panels are mounted on surfaces with the highest solar exposure to optimize the efficiency of the photovoltaics. Additionally, the location and dimensions of the windows were carefully planned to maximize natural daylight and minimize electricity consumption.

During the design process, the Active House Radar analysis was used to guide decision-making. The Active House Radar evaluates the level of ambition for each of the three main Active House principles, encompassing four criteria for Comfort, three for Energy, and two for Environment. The aim is to go beyond energy performance by incorporating comfort aspects such as air quality, indoor climate, and natural light, ensuring the refuge is as welcoming and comfortable as possible.