Solar Beacon / Sustainable Shelter in the Swiss Alps

This is pretty cool. It's a sustainable shelter built in the Swiss Alps called the Monte Rosa Hut. Developed by the Swiss Alpine Club, this domicile won the Holcim Awards Bronze 2008 Europe. It sits 2,883 meters above sea level.

The cool shelter uses awesome technologies to produce energy, collect water, treat solid and liquid wastes, and more sustainably and self-sufficiently. Plus, from long distances, the "mirror" finish (used to reduce solar heat effects) acts as a beacon for miles, reflecting sunlight in all directions.

The entire "hut" is five stories high with plenty of sleeping, dining, socializing, etc. space. The spiral-shaped glass band around the building conducts passive solar energy using the staircase behind it. It gives awesome panoramic views as well.

The entire structure was designed with a special CAD system to reduce the amount of materials and transportation requirements to get them to the site to the minimum. The shelter hasn't been built yet, but plans to put it together this summer are unfolding.

Whether it's built or not, it's pretty cool regardless.