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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Himalayan Emergency Shelter, Artificial Snow Cave in Nepal by Margot KrasojevicMay 21st, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Margot Krasojevic The Artificial Snow Cave Hut The hut offers a snowdrift frame made from weighted carbon fiber mesh, this contoured landscape mimics the surrounding vertiginous precipices and landscapes, the carbon fiber snowscape creates an artificial snow cave which can be dug into and around enabling climbers to inhabit the structure in a similar way to a snow cave.  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic
 Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic The composite carbon frame catches the snowdrift using snow as an insulating material, as it is a mesh structure pockets of rooms can be carved into the build up of snow as well as air vents to help with air circulation,it is possible to further insulate the structure by digging a small pit deeper into one part of the cave floor to provide a place for the coldest air to gather, away from the occupants, the entrance may be partially blocked with chunks of snow to deflect wind and retain heat.  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic Multiple layers of Silicium applied to the carbon fibre mesh produce an electric current from direct natural light, photovoltaics can be used to store this energy which is forced through the electrical resistance wire embedded within the mesh, creating heat energy and then cooling the structure to create an icy surface trapping snow for added insulation, and melting it away as necessary, which in the process contributes to strengthening & insulating the structure. A wooden frame, sits within the artificial snow cave, suspends an elevation of climbing ropes creating a more flexible space which can be canvased if necessary, inspired by the snow lotus whose leaves are covered with dense white woolly hairs minimising frost damage at night and preventing ultraviolet light damage from the intense high altitude sunlight, with this principal in mind the rope structure sways attempting to prevent freezing, it is clamped to the wooden frame in sections and can be added to. The artificial snow cave landscape mesh is self supporting, it rests on the undulating parts of the contoured carbon fibre mesh. The structure is to be a part of the trekking experience as it is similar in nature to emergency shelters which can be escavated according to needs and party size.  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic Cell like modules within the rope structure contain sleeping quarters, holographic filters applied to the carbon roof panels control temperature and direct light into and throughout the sleeping modules and into the artificial snow cave below.  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic Green photovoltaic panels control light and produce energy stored in the carbon fibre snow cave mesh. The snow cave provides shelter at temperatures of 0C even if the outside temperature drops to -50 C; constructed by excavating snow so that the entrance tunnel enters below the main space to retain warm air, in this case within the snowscape mesh emerging into the wooden framed rope shelter.  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic Construction is simplified by building it on a steep slope and digging slightly upwards and horizontally into the slope. The roof is domed to prevent dripping on the occupants and because it is made from mesh it is easier to clear ventilation holes avoiding suffocation. A narrow entrance tunnel leads into the main chamber which consists of a flat area with elevated sleeping platforms excavated from snow.  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic  Image Courtesy © Margot Krasojevic
Contact Margot Krasojevic
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