Top Performance

“Building on a mountain demands perfect choreography”, says architect Jacques Félix-Faure about his third alpine project, Refuge de L’Aigle (Eagle refuge). The modern staging of the Corps du Ballet by the old mountain hut on Meije at 3,450 m was shown high recognition by “Constructive Alps 2015”, the Swiss-Liechtenstein Architecture prize for Sustainable Building and Renovation in the Alps.

3,450 m high, winds of up to 215 km/h, temperature differences of up to 40°C and solid snow packed up to the height of the roof ridge are the toughest challenges faced by a building and its constructer. Absolute top performance was required by everyone taking part in this spectacular project for the renovation of a mountain shelter that was built in 1911, Refuge de L’Aigle on La Meije in the Ècrins National Park. Choreograph and ballet master of the building project in this harsh location was the French alpine-architecture specialist Jacques Félix-Faure, himself a passionate mountain enthusiast.

“Building at this height demands peak performance – in planning, execution and materials”, says Félix-Faure of C 17, the architects who surrounded the old, museum-like structure by a modern addition. “New foundations were laid around the existing wood and beams of the old hut and the wooden structure was cladded by a new structure which reliably protects it from wind and weather, giving it a feeling of security. Just like a boat on the high seas.”

The experienced mountain builder PREFA used facade panels FX:12 in stone grey for the exterior facing. “This is the only product which can withstand the extreme day and night temperature differences and this producer is the only one who has extensive experience dealing with projects of this kind. That was extremely helpful” says Félix-Faure, referring to the equally successful PREFA project of the Hörnlihütte on the Matterhorn. “PREFA has outstanding alpine credentials”.

Material: Coated aluminium 0.7 mm thick, stone grey P.10

Size: 700 x 420 mm and 1,400 x 420 mm in the laid area

Weight: 2.3 kg/m²

Fixing: screwed or nailed

Recommendation by the architect:

“Everything is difficult high up. When 20 people have to work on such a project at 3,450 metres, then everyone has to know exactly what he has to do when.” Just like choreography. You can’t waste time but you have to think of safety all the time.”

Jacques Félix-Faure, Architect

Atelier 17 C - Architects