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alps cocoon

Alps cocoons – Staying pods in the alps

Submission: January 11, 2022
Registration: January 10, 2022
Language: English
Location: Swiss Alps, Switzerland
Prizes: $24000
Type: Open Competition

 

This challenge of the competition is to explore and innovate the concept of staying pods which are to be built in the heart of the Swiss Alps. The staying pods shall aim to enrich and revive the tourist experience and expand their horizon. These pods are expected to act as a comfortable refuge to the hikers and travelers by providing them with cozy pods in iconically scenic locations that bring them one step closer to their natural abode.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” — Saint Augustine

Travelling is as old as history dates back to our civilization. Initially, we settled our base at the river banks, and then after learning to harbor a safe refuge we began our next and one of the most essential aspects; wanderlust.

Adapting and innovating our ways through the myriad of existential problems we as humans found our ways into different geographical spaces by learning to travel. This process brought about a drastic transition in our perception of survival and adventure. Traveling is one of the most sought-after things that not only interest almost everyone worldwide but is also a shared dream carried by us. The destinations that we want to visit might vary but the love for the travel rather than the destination is common.

Sometimes it’s the vast valleys or the unstoppable rivers, the dense forests, or sometimes the tall mountains that inspire and allure us.

Design Objectives

Understanding the context: Understand the basic requirements needed for a fully functioning pod in the Swiss alps context. Create and conceptualize a kind of Architecture that merges and becomes an inherent part of the alps.

Interior scope and limitations: Study and understand the extreme weather conditions of the alps and their variations across different seasons. The minimum temperature, ancillary requirements that are necessary for the functioning and practicality of the pods are to be considered and proposed by the participants.

Material: Switzerland’s diverse context offers a variety of material palette options to choose from. Analyzing the pod location and its material requirements for both aesthetic and functional use is to be thought of.

Construction techniques: Construction techniques that are specially used and practiced in the mountainous regions especially in the swiss mountains are to be studied and understood to create a sustainable and practically buildable design.

The above objectives can be a point of beginning to conceive this design. Participants can assume their contexts and the user group.

The area of the pod can range between 25-35 sqm. The designed pod is to be replicated on the site provided.  

 Eligibility

  • The minimum eligible age for participation is 18 years.
  • The competitions are open worldwide for designers from any discipline.
  • You can participate as an individual or as a team of a maximum of 4 members.
  • All students and professionals can participate in the competitions.

>>> Go to the competition’s website <<<