The new Schwarzensteinhütte at the height of 3,026m looks like a monolithic, irregular solid in order to present as little surface area as possible to the wind which can reach hurricane levels here at any time of the year. So the building’s form is a response to the location in high mountains where the climate is raw and nature is all-powerful.
Stifter + Bachmann stacked the schedule of accommodation in six levels: cooking and eating are at the ground floor level, the drying and service rooms are on the first and second lower levels, while the sleeping accommodation is on the three upper storeys. In the interior the hut resembles a large piece of furniture that can be lived in. All the walls and the simple, clear furniture are clad or made from natural spruce.
The new Schwarzensteinhütte is a slightly backward leaning tower with a 360° view. This is made possible by a ribbon window that runs the entire way around the dining room and also by small, irregularly positioned windows in the guest rooms. The building is encased in copper because of its liveliness and the way in which it develops an unpredictable patina under the influence of the climate. So the new Schwarzensteinhütte is gradually turning a shade that matches the black of the surrounding stones.
Materials used:
1. HOKU, Dobbiaco ( I ) Carpentry of wood
2. Velux Italia - Windows
3. Auroport, Brunico ( I) - Exterior doors
4. Rubner, Chienes (I) - Interior doors, fire doors
5. Villeroy, Keramag - Sanitary ceramics
6. Progress, Bressanone ( I ) - Precast concrete products
