Fabrice ANDRÉ

Issue / The Problems of Insulation

Some of the buildings that tourists and adventurers appreciate the most are found in the remotest corners of the planet. Due to their locations, their owners are obliged to come up with ingenious ways of supplying the energy needs of and managing the wastes from their buildings. But when we venture far off the beaten track, into the heart of nature, the services we take for granted elsewhere present considerable challenges.

In the mountainous regions of the Alps, hikers, skiers and back-country adventurers are welcomed in special buildings called refuges. Often difficult to reach and off the electrical grid, refuges need to find alternative ways of producing electricity and heat they need on site. In addition, managing trash and wastewater and providing the required food and other resources can become quite a conundrum for the owners.