In an age when anything that responds to a voice command is considered “smart,” here’s something that’s actually brilliant.
This award-winning mountain shelter concept from Bulgarian architects Lusio Architects takes on the perils and uncertainty of severe weather at high altitudes by acting as a sort of latter-day lighthouse for hikers. The modular building brightens like a beacon in times of stress, even emitting signals to guide travelers to safety.
Once inside, instant video connection allows those in the shelter to connect with a mountain rescue team, with the cabin engaging in “RESCUE ME” mode. When the situation isn’t dire, there’s a “RELAX” mode for kicking up your feet while you rejuvenate.
Aside from the obvious lifesaving capabilities, the rest-house features a thoughtful design that holds its own with shelters that exist purely for aesthetic reasons. Formed from four different modules (each made from aluminum or wood), the shelter also captures solar and wind energy to earn net-zero status.
If you find yourself wandering through the Bulgarian wilderness (where the first model is; the second will be in Antarctica) and notice a light when you’re just about ready to keel over, that’s not a mirage. It’s a shelter. And heated floors await.
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