Project: Fraganter Youth Hut
Architects: Imgang Architekten
Location: Flattach, Austria
Area: 5,973 sf
Year: 2023
Photographs by: David Schreyer
Fraganter Youth Hut by Imgang Architekten
Situated amidst the majestic Goldberg group, the Fraganter self-catering hut, renovated by Imgang Architekten for the Austrian Alpine Club, Klagenfurt section, stands at 1,800 meters, offering a retreat for youth courses. Reflecting the region’s copper mining history, the extension features handmade copper shingles, seamlessly connecting with the past. Built with reinforced concrete for stability in alpine terrain, the structure transitions to local spruce timber for warmth.
The Fraganter self-catering hut of the Austrian Alpine Club, Klagenfurt section, was renovated by Imgang Architekten and extended with a single-storey building. Its location in the middle of the impressive Goldberg group at an altitude of around 1,800 meters offers children and teenagers the opportunity to take part in various courses. The remoteness of the hut makes it possible to let go of the daily routine and increases the internal exchange as well as the feeling of community.
The architecture was designed to reflect the history of the historic copper mining area. The cantilevered extension with its gallery-like opening is clad with handmade copper shingles, creating a visible link to the past. Together with the existing building, a courtyard with a covered outdoor area is created.
The base of the main building is made of robust reinforced concrete, which ensures stability in the alpine terrain and protects the timber construction from snow deposits in winter. All other components are made of cross-laminated timber and, like the entire interior, are made of local spruce. The larch façade and roof lend the building warmth and harmony.
The extension includes a kitchen, a living room, a lounge and a multi-purpose room. The latter has a climbing wall and a stage for smaller performances or presentations. In the main building, there are 36 sleeping places for young people and 9 sleeping places for supervisors with bathrooms. Heating is provided by a wood-burning stove, which is heated with wood from its forest.
The children prepare the wood themselves in summer. By using natural materials, the building blends in sensitively with the surrounding landscape. The simple architecture creates a place that honors the history of the region and at the same time offers a contemporary experience for the Alpine Club youth.
