The Alpenhotel Ammerwald is built on a height of 1100m in a small valley in Tirol. The hotel profi le is completely enclosed in wilderness. It is both an isolated retreat and a conceptual, constructive and logistic challenge for the architects.

The total demolitionof of the existing building and later “recommencement” it was deemed necessary from the architectural view to create a new, innovative, economical and environmental friendly building which also fulfi lls claims in location, time and the requirements of the client BMW Group. On several occasions the client stated their desire to accomplish a traditional atmosphere. Not in form of superfi cial historicism but rather in form of a new interpretation “spirit of Ammerwald”. Existing values and characteristics of Ammerwald as spatial collectives and communities, warm coziness, in inhospitable environment, alpine atmosphere and contemplative silence must be translated in contemporary, but not stylish architectural language. Values, tradition and conventions, quality, authenticity and sustainability are important.

The concept of the building is devided in two different construction types. The fi rst two stories are a concrete construction.

Located on the groundfl oor are all public spaces, such as Hotel Lobby, Restaurant and Bar. The fi rst fl oor is devided in offi ce and administration spaces and hosts the seminar rooms as well as the Fireside Lounge.

The three stories above which host all 93 hotelrooms are constructed entirely from wood. Every single room-box was prefabricated and transported to the building site, where all boxes where assembled within a few days.

The concept, using prefabricated modular elements, in combination with a concrete base, reduced the building period and consequently the buildig costs.

Team:

Architects: Oskar Leo Kaufmann

Photographer: Adolf Bereuter