Yandex Stroganov

Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina

Yandex Stroganov 

Za Bor Architects

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Yandex

PHOTOGRAPHS
Maria Turynkina, Dmitry Kulinevich

AREA
5800 m²

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Moscow, Russia

CAREGORY
Offices Interiors

Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina
Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina

The tracuit mountain hut (altitude 3256 metres) belongs to the chaussy section of the swiss alpine club and is situated in the val d’anniviers, in the heart of the valaisan alps.

Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina
Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina

Its superb position makes it the ideal starting-point for climbing the bishorn, the weisshorn, and the tête de milon. The hut was built in 1929 and enlarged several times to cope with a constant increase in guest numbers and expected levels of comfort.

Current requirements concerning health and safety, staffing, facilities, and environmental protection meant that the hut needed to be enlarged and completely refurbished.

Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina
Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina

As transforming the existing hut would have produced a significant cost overhead, the club decided to build a new one. The design was chosen via an architectural competition.

SITE

The nature of the site, between a cliff and a glacier, defined the position and shape of the new hut, which is constructed along the ridge above the cliff, fitting in with the site’s topography.

Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina
Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina

The south façade of the building extends from the cliff and works like a large solar collector, being either glazed or covered with solar panels to make maximum use of solar energy.

The other façades reflect the surrounding landscape. From the refectory, guests enjoy an uninterrupted, plunging view over the val de zinal.

Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina
Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina

CONSTRUCTION

At this altitude, the construction methods had to be adapted to the adverse weather conditions and to the means of transport available. As transporting concrete is particularly expensive, its use was minimised and restricted largely to individual footings.

The whole of the structural frame is of wood. The wall and floor components, consisting of studs/beams, insulation and cladding, were prefabricated in the factory and transported by helicopter for on-site assembly.

Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina
Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina

Panels of stainless steel cladding protect the roof and outer walls from the elements. The east, west and north walls have only a few openings, reducing heat loss while providing optimum natural ventilation.

Larger windows on the south wall, which is exposed to the sun, enable passive solar energy to be stored, and this wall is also covered with solar panels. During the work, the existing hut accommodated the usual guests and also the construction workers.

Yandex Stroganov
© Dmitry Kulinevich
Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina

At the end of the work, this outdated, energy-hungry building was taken down. The lower part of the walls remains, with the south wall delimiting the terrace and protecting its users from the wind.

ENERGY

Via its large area of solar panels and south-facing glazing, the building makes maximum use of solar radiation.

Yandex Stroganov
© Dmitry Kulinevich
Yandex Stroganov
© Dmitry Kulinevich

The compact shape of the building and efficient wall insulation reduce heat loss.

Low-tech ventilation is used to recover the significant amount of heat emitted by the building’s occupants, while making it more comfortable and preventing any problems with mould growth in premises that are closed for several months of the year.

Yandex Stroganov
© Dmitry Kulinevich


Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina
Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina
Yandex Stroganov
© Maria Turynkina


Yandex Stroganov
First Floor Plan
Yandex Stroganov
Second Floor Plan
Yandex Stroganov
Third Floor Plan
Yandex Stroganov
Fifth Floor Plan
Yandex Stroganov
Fourth Floor Plan