Skip to main content

Remnants of Slovenian WWI bunker make up base of this cozy alpine shelter

slovenian world war one bunker turned alpine shelter bunker8
Premica
To provide mountaineers a touch of respite as they brave the extreme conditions of Slovenia’s Triglev National Park, an architecture firm named Premica Architects decided to fashion an ancient World War I bunker into a particularly cozy alpine bunker. Due in large part to these extreme conditions, Premica built the bulk of the small abode at an offsite location before making use of a helicopter to transport it to its current location — now dubbed the Bivak na Prehodavcih. As basic and minimal as they come, the shelter features no electricity or running water.

A fully off-grid shelter, Bivak na Prehodavcih’s interior is clad primarily in what appears to be a very lightly colored Cypress Pine. Not only does this give the hut a bit of a cabin-type feel, but during the day, the pine keeps the inside brightly lit. Furthermore, Premica also outfit the structure with wooden cross-laminated panels which perfectly match the pine’s homey aesthetic. For mountaineers who stay the night, Bivak na Prehodavcih’s sleeping quarters feature a series of twin beds lined up along its upper level.

Related Videos

“Despite technological simplicity and robustness, the structure brings a touch of modernity and coziness into this alpine wilderness,” wrote Premica Architects. “Bivouacs address the fundamental gap between people’s needs and their attitude to nature through the understanding of the surrounding terrain, which is of key significance in interventions into sensitive wild environments.”

With no running water or electricity, the elephant in the room is clear: What do visitors do if they need to use the restroom? Luckily, Premica included a small outhouse roughly 160 feet away from the bunker, though if the conditions are as harsh as advertised, that walk certainly wouldn’t be a very pleasant one. Despite its lack of water or interior electricity, the cabin does feature a solar panel fixed to its metal roof which helps power an exterior light — likely used to help alert hikers of the structure’s whereabouts.

Similar to its bunker base, the entirety of the Bivak na Prehodavcih addition was constructed so as not to clash with its surrounding environment. Simple yet modern, the shelter fits naturally into its new neighborhood’s wilderness without spoiling the national park’s gorgeous scenery.

Editors' Recommendations

How to use Amazon’s Alexa app on your smartphone
amazon-alexa-on-android feature image

Amazon Alexa is one of the most popular smart assistants available. With support for a wide range of devices and the ability to check the news, give a quick update on your favorite sports team, or perform hundreds of other tasks, it's an incredibly useful piece of software. But it’s the support for smart home products that really makes Alexa compelling, as it can quickly send commands to most devices and gives you remote access to all your gadgets.

Here, we take a look at how to use the Alexa app on any smartphone, along with tips on how to make the most of all its features.
How to configure Alexa on Android or iPhone

Read more
Forget Philips Hue: Get a TP-Link smart bulb bundle for $40 today
tp link color changing smart bulb 2

A smart bulb is a great way to easily set the mood in any room. Unfortunately, they usually cost more money than you'd ever consider spending on a lightbulb, even with discounts like Philip Hue deals. We have an alternative to propose: The TP-Link Kasa A19 smart bulb. You can get a pack of five for only $40 at Best Buy right now. That's enough to cover a few rooms with fun ambient light. Check out more things you can do with them below.

Why you should buy the TP-Link Kasa A19 smart bulb bundle
The TP-Link Kasa A19 smart bulb is easy to set up -- you just have to insert them into your bulb socket and connect it directly to your home's Wi-Fi network, with no extra equipment needed. Once that's done, you'll just have to follow the instructions on the Kasa Smart app, which you'll also be using to control the smart bulb, including selecting your choice among 16 million colors and dimming its brightness to create the perfect atmosphere. Since you'll be operating the smart bulb through the app, you'll be able to make the changes from wherever you are, even when you're miles away from your home.

Read more
Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Mount vs. Wyze Cam Pan v3: which is best?
is the blink mini pan tilt mount worth it wyze

When it comes to affordable indoor cameras, the Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Mount and the Wyze Cam Pan v3 are at the top of the class. Both offer high-quality footage, along with a bevy of other useful features that make them stand out in a crowded market. The Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Mount is a bit more expensive (it costs $60, compared to $34 for the Wyze Pan v3), but which one is better for your smart home? Here’s a comprehensive look at the Wyze Pan v3 and Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Mount to help you decide.
Video quality

Both the Wyze Pan v3 and Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Mount capture 1080p footage. They also both work in the dark, with Blink featuring infrared night vision and Wyze using color night vision, which allows them to function around the clock. Both look great when viewed on your smartphone, and it’s hard to go wrong with either if you’re worried about video quality.

Read more