Still

Exploring the application of sustainable materials and architectural structures, this project designs a shelter for climbers on Jezowa Woda in Poland. It uses locally sourced cedar and green concrete — easy to build and to dismantle — and emphasizes natural, functional and psychological sustainability.

Set on the summit, the building serves as a rest and leisure stop for mountaineers and as a viewing terrace for sightseeing. The area of each functional zone follows from the needs of climbers; a sequence of formal transformations then produced the final architectural shape.

The summit of Jezowa Woda offers an excellent viewing position. The building is divided into two parts: the main part, containing the restaurant, viewing terrace and accommodation, and the spring part, which provides spaces for rest and relaxation.

The size and position of each functional area respond to the specific needs of climbers, to the special nature of the mountaintop environment and to the sustainable use of resources.

The shelter includes a rest area, bathroom and bathing facilities, a locker room, a restaurant with viewing terrace and a lobby. The layout follows climbers’ behavioral paths and activities, forming a smooth spatial sequence from the lobby to resting, dining and viewing.

Through the transformation of form, the building arrives at an appearance and an internal layout that echo the mountain environment, providing a practical and comfortable shelter.

The project employs a range of timber connections: dovetail joints for the staircase pillars, primary and secondary roof-purlin overlaps, ground diagonal braces linked to concrete and metal, column-to-concrete metal connections and standard beam–column overlaps — each designed for stability and durability.

Main materials include 20 mm veneer lumber, 20 mm plasticized glass, 30 mm fir planks, thermal insulation, 120 mm fir columns, 120 × 240 mm fir secondary beams and C15 360 steel–concrete beams and columns. Timber elements use birch planks, concrete parts use PVC panels coated with a lime–acrylic mix, and glazing uses clear acrylic panels.