The Begich Towers Condominium (BTC), located in the remote town of Whittier, Alaska, exemplifies integrated architecture at its most extreme—where an entire community lives, works, and entertains within a single building. Locals affectionately refer to it as “The Building.”
More than just a fascinating case study, BTC serves as a living laboratory for exploring how architecture can adapt to harsh environments, enhance energy efficiency and foster social cohesion.
Begich Towers, an Alaskan Haven
Whittier is a small town situated along Prince William Sound in a remote part of Alaska, accessible primarily by sea, a road-rail tunnel, or train. With a population of around 200 residents, the town endures extreme climatic conditions characterized by strong winds and heavy snowfall.
Constructed in 1957, the Begich Towers Condominium originally served as a military structure known as the Hodge Building during the Cold War. It was later converted into a residential complex to serve the local community. The building was renamed Begich Towers in tribute to Nick Begich, an American politician who represented Alaska in the House of Representatives.
Begich mysteriously disappeared in 1972 during a flight between Anchorage and Juneau, and after an extensive but unsuccessful search, he was declared dead. The renaming honors his political contributions and his commitment to the development of Alaska.
Architecture and internal organization
This 14-storey building now accommodates nearly the entire local population by combining a diverse mix of public and private functions. The Begich Towers Condominium (BTC) comprises 196 housing units of varying sizes—including one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments—and also houses the administrative offices of Whittier, streamlining city management. In addition, the building is home to the local police department and a medical clinic, ensuring immediate access to security and healthcare.
For everyday convenience, the building offers amenities such as a post office, a grocery store, and a laundromat. Spiritual needs are addressed with an on-site Baptist church, and for visitors and tourists, two floors are dedicated to a bed & breakfast, enhancing the building’s role as a community hub.
The building also houses a conference room for meetings and community events, promoting cohesion among residents. A pedestrian tunnel connects Begich Towers to the local school, enabling students to attend classes regardless of the weather conditions.
Constructed of reinforced concrete, the building is designed to withstand the region’s extreme environmental conditions. Interior spaces are linked by covered, heated corridors, ensuring that residents can move comfortably throughout the building without exposure to the harsh outdoor climate.
The Advantages of “Self-Sufficient” Buildings
The Begich Towers Condominium serves as a prime example of a self-sufficient building—an architectural typology that is gaining increasing attention amid global challenges such as climate change and urbanization. However, this concept is not entirely new. A well-known precedent is Le Corbusier’s Unité d’Habitation, constructed between 1947 and 1952 in Marseille, France. This innovative project, conceived during the era of the vertical city, was a multifunctional residential complex designed to accommodate approximately 1,600 people while integrating essential services such as shops, offices, a gym, a swimming pool, a school, and recreational spaces.
These historical examples provide valuable lessons for today’s architects and builders. Self-sufficient buildings offer numerous benefits, most notably a reduced ecological footprint. By concentrating resources, these structures help lower energy consumption and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, they are designed to adapt to future climate challenges and serve as models of community resilience, creating spaces that foster social cohesion and provide access to essential resources.
The Challenges and Risks of a Vertical Community
It is essential to consider the inherent challenges of this typology, such as striking a balance between effective insulation and maintaining access to open spaces. Architects must design urban buildings with flexibility in mind—creating structures that can adapt to changing needs over time. Additionally, a careful evaluation of the centralization of functions is crucial to prevent the creation of excessive vulnerabilities.
