From Mont Blanc’s peaks to underground engineering

The Goûter Hut, Mont Blanc (France) 

Built in 2012, the Goûter Hut on Mont Blanc sits at over 12’000 feet (3’815 meters) and endures some of the world's most extreme temperatures and wind gusts. Offering shelter to mountaineers on Europe’s highest peak, this eco-friendly refuge is equipped with GF’s Sanipex-MT plumbing system, chosen for its durability in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 30°C. The installation required over 1’500 helicopter flights, yet only three were dedicated to transporting GF's lightweight products, which have since proven their reliability amidst harsh alpine weather year-round. 

Home to the Minnesota Vikings, the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis faces heavy snowfall each winter. GF Building Flow Solutions’ innovative heated piping system embedded within the roof’s drainage channels prevents snow buildup that could threaten structural stability, and the safety of the football fans. This system features 21 kilometers of PEX pipes circulating a hot glycol solution, safely melting snow and ice as it forms. But innovation doesn’t stop at the roof: GF’s solutions are also installed beneath the stadium’s sidewalks, keeping them clear of ice even during the harshest winters.

Nestled in Gijón’s Technology Park, Greenspace is the first net-zero energy office building in Asturias and one of the most sustainable in Spain, not only using energy efficiently, but also creating a surplus. The building features GF’s COOL-FIT 4.0 pre-insulated piping system for heating and cooling, ensuring energy efficiency and year-round comfort. Spanning 1’500 square meters, the building generates over 70 MWh of surplus energy annually, thanks to solar panels and innovative thermal management. The project required over 6 kilometers of GF pipings and 8’000 fittings, overcoming tight construction timelines and integration challenges – resulting in a smooth fusion of architecture, science and technology.

In the heart of bustling Singapore, the Singapore Management University (SMU) faced the challenge of keeping students and staff comfortable in the city’s hot and humid tropical climate. For this purpose, SMU chose GF’s advanced COOL-FIT system – a pre-insulated piping solution for air conditioning to bring comfort across nearly 5’000 square meters of campus space. Completed in December 2019, the project involved the installation of 7 kilometers of piping and 12’000 fittings, all contributing to zero-energy requirements.

These are some of the examples of how the adaptability of GF products and our technical know-how help these infrastructure projects to thrive, whether they are facing frigid peaks or hot and humid urban climates.

To learn more about our solutions, visit GF Piping Systems and GF Building Flow Solutions.

Published: 16 January 2025