An Alpine View

New Zealand’s backcountry huts have long provided essential shelter within the country’s unforgiving landscapes. Originally constructed from local materials, these utilitarian structures have formed a diverse network across the landscape. Over time, their role has evolved from workers’ huts to tourist accommodations, though they have retained their fundamental purpose as basic shelters. However, as the Department of Conservation (DOC) shifts its focus towards promoting and developing the ‘front country’, a divide has emerged, resulting in the deteriorating condition of huts within the backcountry. This shift has revealed the limitations of traditional construction methods, especially in alpine regions, where huts often require constant maintenance and reconstruction and fail to meet modern standards for thermal performance.

This thesis proposes a new alpine hut typology, incorporating alternative construction and design methods to promote sustainability, user experience, and adaptability. It challenges the idea that functionality and a strong connection to the landscape are mutually exclusive. The increased accessibility of alpine locations presents an opportunity to address the diverse demographics of mountain recreation, bridging the divide between the ‘front country’ and the ‘backcountry’.

Drawing from local case studies, the research evaluates diverse hut designs and their capacity to balance user expectations. International case studies guide a new approach, one which emphasises users’ engagement with the landscape and sustainable design practices. A modular design approach emerged as a viable solution, offering adaptability to preserve the network’s diversity while meeting a broad range of user expectations. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is identified as a sustainable material to support this approach, providing strength, prefabrication benefits, and advanced thermal performance potential through continuous insulation.

By rethinking design, spatial planning, and construction methods, this thesis explores how architecture can enhance user experience through unique engagement with the landscape and thermal performance. Ultimately, the proposed typology aims to provide a more sustainable, efficient, and adaptable solution for New Zealand’s backcountry hut system, ensuring its longevity and relevance for both local and international adventurers.