Alpine bungalow made with lightweight wooden modules from Metsawood

The SPA-Bungalow offers visitors an unique sauna experience at an altitude of 2,690 metres, with spectacular alpine views; it features three wooden modules made entirely from Metsawood‘s Kerto® LVL (laminated veneer lumber).

This makes them lightweight enough to be transported via helicopter and as well as this, Kerto® LVL has been proved to be the ideal fast, light and green material for this exclusive design.

The bungalow at the Loetschenpass Hut hotel in Switzerland combines a sauna, a relaxation area with a bed, and a bathroom with a shower.

The designer behind the SPA-Bungalow concept is the Swiss designer and wellness facility developer Roger Bernet; his objective was to create a unique, cost-effective concept for hotels with smaller budgets, but exquisite locations.

Bernet’s vision was to create a modular building entirely from one material; it needed to be strong enough to endure alpine conditions, whilst also being lightweight enough to be easily transported.

In addition, the material had to be ecological and fast to build with.

To fulfil his vision, Bernet collaborated with his experienced associates Christoph Lädrach to manage the construction and installation, and Beat Biedermann to tackle the challenges of heating, sanitary technology and electrical engineering.

Modular bungalow ready for use after a few hours of assembly

Christopher Lädrach immediately knew Kerto LVL would work as an engineered wood product to meet every requirement.

“Kerto LVL Q-panels fulfilled all our technical requirements – strong yet lightweight, fast to build with, ecological, and fire- and moisture-resistant,” Roger Bernet explained.

The SPA-Bungalow’s modules were built with Q-panels. As Kerto LVL is lightweight and strong, less overall material is required for building and there was hardly any material left over in the process.

The material cut out for the windows, for example, was utilised in the furniture of the bungalow. The exteriors of the modules were made weather-resistant by covering them with fibreglass reinforced plastic.

The off-site construction of the modules took roughly four weeks. On site, the SPA-Bungalow was assembled and ready for guests to use in just a few hours.

Durable in extreme alpine conditions

The SPA-Bungalow was presented to the public in November last year at the Igeho exhibition in Basel.

The bungalow was then flown by helicopter up to the Lötschen Pass in modules. Winter storms at the Lötschen Pass can have wind speeds reaching over 160 kilometres per hour. The solid structure of the SPA-Bungalow has proven durable even in these extreme conditions.

“I am looking forward to using Kerto LVL Q-panels in future projects. Based on my experience, I would not change a thing about Kerto LVL,” added Bernet.