This volume provides an integrated examination of Alpine mountain huts, combining historical analysis with contemporary research and design innovation. It traces the evolution of these structures within the European Alpine context and addresses the challenges posed by climate change and shifting environmental conditions.
Drawing on investigations at the Regina Margherita Observatory Hut, the highest in the Alps, and a series of case studies across the region, the book explores materials, construction techniques, and energy-efficient technologies. It introduces a dedicated sustainability certification protocol and considers strategies for climate-adaptive architecture.
Organized into five sections, History and Typology, Design and Technology, Research Case Study, Contemporary Practices, and Future Perspectives, the work offers a multidisciplinary framework for understanding and shaping the next generation of resilient, sustainable mountain huts.
Mountain Huts in History and the Evolution Trend.- Technologies for High
Altitude Construction.- The Research Activities on the Highest Hut of the
Alps.- Relevant Case Studies from the Alps a Benchmark for Future Design.-
Conclusions and Perspectives.
Francesco Calvetti is Full Professor of Geotechnical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano, where he teaches courses on soil and rock mechanics, foundations, and soil-structure interaction. He holds a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from Politecnico di Torino and an M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Politecnico di Milano. His research focuses on landslide protection structures, numerical methods in geomechanics, soil-structure interaction, granular material behavior, and the effects of global warming on permafrost and slope stability. He has coordinated international projects, serves on ISSMGE technical committees, and is the author of six books and over 40 Scopus-indexed papers (h-index: 16).
Graziano Salvalai is Associate Professor at Politecnico di Milano, where he heads the Masters Program in Architectural Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Building and Architectural Engineering and has held research appointments at Fraunhofer ISE, NREL, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Drexel University. His work focuses on innovative construction techniques for decarbonizing the built environment, and he directs the Building Energy facadE performance Lab (BEE Lab). He has coordinated several Horizon 2020 and national projects and authored three books and over 70 peer-reviewed papers (Scopus h-index: 21).
