Renovation and rehabilitation of the Albert 1er Refuge, Mountain Hut

Situated at an altitude of 2712m, the Albert-1er refuge is located in France in Chamonix Mont-Blanc in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Inaugurated in 1930 by King Albert the First of Belgium, the mountain hut underwent a renovation five years later, then an extension was completed in 1959.

At the end of the 20th century, due to the increase in the number of visitors to the site and its high accessibility, a new expansion project was launched.

In 2011, the renovation and rehabilitation project began with our architect’s design firm. Delivery took place in July 2014.
The shelter now has a renovated, raised roof and an additional floor. The caretaker's kitchens and apartments have also been renovated.

Our architects thought of the vital necessities for life at the mountain hut. Wastewater is treated below the hut in order to maintain a compost pile. The rain water is retrieved for sanitary use while the water catchment area situated above the hut filters the water using several types of filters (coal, UV and particles).

Two tanks, 10m³ and 16m³, assure a generous stock for the comfort of the refuge.

A system of cogen-linking PV panels on the roof of the old refuge as well as two wood-burning stoves meet the electricity needs of the building.

Area: 1020 m²

Capacity: 130 beds

Cost of the works: 2,700,000 € taxes included

Start: Summer 2011

End: Summer 2014

Date of implementation: Summer 2014