Martinsons builds summit cabin on Mount Kebnekaise

Martinsons, in cooperation with Murman Arkitekter, is building a brand new safety cabin at a height of 2,000 metres on the summit of Kebnekaise.
“The opportunity to supply wood for Sweden’s highest building really makes us proud. The fact that our Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) building components will be used in a location that experiences extreme weather conditions also tells you a lot about the quality of the material,” comments Daniel Wilded, Sales Engineer at Martinsons.

“The previous cabins were made from separate timber elements with various layers of insulation. This was a disadvantage, as moisture could penetrate and destroy the timber. However, the new cabin will be built using solid CLT. This keeps the moisture out and ensures it is watertight. With this construction, neither the rain nor snow can get in,” explains Daniel.

With just two snow-free months in the year, the summit of Kebnekaise is one of the locations in Sweden with the toughest climatic conditions. And because many hiking enthusiasts and mountain climbers frequent the area, there has been a safety cabin in the vicinity near the northern summit since the 1960s, a facility to enable hikers to take a break or seek shelter against storms, rain and snow.

In 1983, another cabin containing a stove for heating was built. But the weather, combined with the fact that many tourists used parts of the interior fittings to start a fire, meant that the cabin had fallen into disrepair. For that reason, STF, the Swedish tourist association, has now decided to build a new one.

The new safety cabin is pentagon shaped and has been designed by Murman Arkitekter. The roof and walls are inclined obliquely outwards, thus preventing snow drifts from forming. The floor, walls and roof are made from solid CLT and the outside is covered by overlapping panelling.
The cabin is 4.5 by 9 metres and consists of a large room with benches. Up to 21 people can fit in the cabin, which, thanks to its shape, retains heat well and is quickly heated by body heat or a spirit heater.

“We see the cabin as a national matter and want to ensure it is in keeping with Swedish nature. Through the shape and material, we can ensure it has the aesthetic form we feel is most suitable. I am convinced this will be really great,” says Hans Norén, Business Developer and Coordinator at STF. The plan was to build the cabin in the summer of 2015, but due to the cold and rainy weather, including some snow, only the concrete blocks and glulam frame have been erected.

“We’ll have to make a fresh attempt next summer. Then we will fly the rest of the delivery up to Kebnekaise. To ensure both delivery and assembly go as smooth as possible, some components will be prefabricated. That means we will be able to complete assembly in around three weeks,” says Bas Boellaard, Designer at Martinsons.

Further information
Bas Boellaard, Design Engineer
Martinsons
Tel. +46 (0)70 585 17 07
bas.boellaard@martinsons.se

Daniel Wilded, Sales Engineer
Martinsons
Tel. +46 (0)70 285 55 14
daniel.wilded@martinsons.se

martinsons.se/news/martinsons-builds-summit-cabin-on-mount-kebnekaise

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The family-owned company Martinsons is Sweden's largest producer of glulam, wooden bridges and construction systems for apartment blocks and other buildings in wood. Thanks to the development of climate-neutral construction, the group is a driving force in the building of a sustainable and forward looking society. Martinsons' sawmills in Bygdsiljum, Kroksjön and Hällnäs produce sawn timber and processed products for customers in the Nordic countries, Europe, Africa and Asia. The head office is located in Bygdsiljum, Västerbotten and the group currently employs about 450 people and has an annual sales turnover of SEK 1.5 billion.

Martinsons Burträskvägen 53, 937 33 Bygdsiljum, Sweden, martinsons.se