Snowgrass Hut

High in the rugged hills, where the weather can turn from a brilliant blue sky to a mountain storm in minutes, sits a building that redefines the concept of a "hut". The Snowgrass Hut, an architecturally designed sanctuary, is a masterclass in how small-scale living can deliver large-scale performance. Designed to be a refuge that treads lightly on the land, this 40 square meter dwelling balances the raw beauty of its remote location with the sophisticated comfort of a high-performance building envelope.

Engineering for the Elements

To achieve this vision in such a demanding and remote location, the construction needed to be as resilient as the landscape itself. The Snowgrass Hut utilizes a full Formance SIP envelope, including the walls, roof, and floor. This choice was critical for a site where traditional transport and long construction windows are often hampered by weather and accessibility.

The build features:

• 165mm Formance Walls: Providing a robust structural shell that replaces traditional framing, insulation, and bracing in one step.
• 215mm Formance Roof: Essential for retaining heat as it rises, ensuring the interior remains cozy even when the mountain temperatures drop.
• 225mm Formance Floor: Creating a fully insulated thermal envelope that separates the living space from the cold ground.

The Formance Advantage

In a remote setting like this, insulation is only part of the story. The true performance of the Snowgrass Hut comes from the airtightness inherent in the Formance system. Traditional timber framing often suffers from air leakage through gaps and cavities, but the solid EPS core and sealed connections of SIPs create a near-impenetrable barrier against the wind.

By minimizing uncontrolled air movement, the hut maintains an even indoor temperature with minimal active heating. This is complemented by a mechanical heat recovery ventilation (MHRV) system, which ensures a constant supply of fresh, filtered air without losing the precious warmth generated by the interior fire. The result is a healthy, quiet, and dry interior environment that allows occupants to feel completely secure, regardless of the frost or wind outside.

Sustainability and Strength

Building with Formance also aligned with the project's goal of environmental sensitivity. The SIPs used in the Snowgrass Hut are made with OSB sourced from responsibly managed forests and 100% recyclable EPS. Furthermore, the strength of the panels provides exceptional seismic resistance and ductility, allowing the structure to flex safely during an earthquake without the abrupt failure associated with more brittle materials.

The Result

The Snowgrass Hut proves that you do not need a large footprint to have a massive impact on comfort and style. The refined plywood interiors deliver a sense of luxury through quality and craft, while the Formance envelope works silently in the background to ensure the home remains a consistent, comfortable temperature year-round. It is more than just a shelter; it is a high-performance sanctuary that proves building for climate change doesn't mean sacrificing the soul of architectural design.

Experience Formance Firsthand

If you want to experience the exceptional comfort and quiet of a Formance SIP home for yourself, the Snowgrass Hut is available for bookings. Immerse yourself in the mountain landscape while enjoying the warmth and stillness of high-performance architecture.

Book your stay here: Above and Beyond Accommodation

Are you looking to build your own high-performance retreat that stands up to the elements? Explore how Formance SIPs can bring your vision to life.