Italian architecture firm Carlo Ratti Associati has partnered with the renowned furniture fair Salone del Mobile to create a groundbreaking Alpine bivouac shelter that will be showcased at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics before finding its permanent home in the Italian Alps. The innovative structure, built from cross-laminated timber, represents a new approach to mountain refuge design that prioritizes environmental harmony and self-sufficiency.
The bivouac will make its debut as a featured pavilion at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in February, serving as a showcase of sustainable architecture and Italian design excellence. Following its Olympic exhibition, the structure will be transported by helicopter to its final location in the Alps, where it will serve as a permanent refuge for mountaineers navigating the challenging Alpine terrain.
Carlo Ratti Associati designed the bivouac with an angular, crystalline shape that was directly inspired by 3D scans of actual Alpine rock formations. This approach represents a departure from traditional mountain shelters, which often appear disconnected from their natural surroundings. "Unfortunately, today bivouacs often look like airships that have landed on our beautiful alpine landscapes," explained Carlo Ratti, founder of Carlo Ratti Associati. "Here, we took the opposite approach – a structure that blends as much as possible with the surroundings."
The architect drew inspiration from legendary 20th-century Italian architect Gio Ponti, who famously described architecture as being "like a crystal." Ratti noted, "We took that literally in this design, using digital fabrication to design a bivouac as if it were part of the natural rock formations that shape the Alps." This philosophy guided the creation of a structure that appears to emerge organically from the mountainous landscape.
The bivouac showcases cutting-edge sustainable technology and materials. Constructed primarily from cross-laminated timber (CLT), aerogel, and metal components, the structure is designed to operate completely self-sufficiently in the harsh Alpine environment. Photovoltaic panels will power the bivouac's energy needs, while an innovative air condensation system will provide a reliable source of clean water for occupants, eliminating the need for external utilities or regular resupply missions.
Access to the refuge is provided through a vertically opening door, designed to withstand extreme weather conditions while maintaining the structure's sleek profile. Inside, the timber-lined interior features a stepped floor plan that descends toward a glazed facade, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Alpine landscape. This design maximizes both the visual connection to nature and the efficient use of the compact interior space.
Safety features have been carefully integrated into the design to assist mountaineers in emergency situations. When visibility is poor due to weather conditions – a common occurrence in the Alps – the bivouac will emit a bright red light to help guide mountaineers to safety. This feature could prove crucial for rescue operations and emergency shelter seeking during severe Alpine storms.
The collaboration between Carlo Ratti Associati and Salone del Mobile reflects a shared commitment to environmentally conscious design principles. Maria Porro, president of Salone del Mobile, emphasized the project's broader significance: "For the Salone, the bivouac by Carlo Ratti Associati conveys a vision of design we share – one capable of blending landscape, innovation, and respect. It speaks of a future in which architecture does not impose itself but adapts, observes, and enters into dialogue with the environment."
Porro further highlighted the symbolic importance of the material choices, stating: "highlighting our material of choice, wood, as an emblem of conversation with nature. It is a gesture that turns research into a form of harmony with the natural world and that, in its journey from our Milan to the Alps, expresses the principles we share: a circular, responsible design."
This project represents just one aspect of Carlo Ratti's involvement with the 2026 Winter Games. Earlier this year, the architect also unveiled a pair of iridescent torches specifically designed for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to Olympic design that extends beyond traditional sporting venues.
The Alpine bivouac joins a growing collection of innovative mountain shelters in Italy that prioritize minimal environmental impact while maximizing functionality. The project's journey from Olympic pavilion to permanent Alpine refuge symbolizes the potential for major international events to serve as platforms for showcasing sustainable architecture and responsible design practices that can have lasting positive impacts on local environments and communities.
