Alpine architecture

Nestled in the breathtaking Ahrntal Valley of South Tyrol, the Amonti Chalets blend traditional alpine craftsmanship with modern, sustainable design.The project consists of 23 exclusive chalet apartments and a central main building, arranged like a historic mountain hamlet that follows the natural contours of the terrain. Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit Gustav Willeit Architecture in Harmony with NatureGuided by the principle of contextual integration, the Amonti Chalets harmonize scale, form, and materials with the regional building tradition. The site-specific layout allowed the complete avoidance of retaining walls, enabling the architecture to merge seamlessly with the landscape. Local timber façades lend the chalet... More

Alpine Lodge occupies a rare freehold site at Mount Hotham, on the traditional lands of the Gunaikurnai and Taungurung peoples, positioned to capture uninterrupted views across surrounding national parkland. Peter Bennetts Peter Bennetts Peter Bennetts Developed in collaboration with Troppo Architects and the client, the project brings architecture and interiors into alignment as a continuous spatial sequence. Working within an established envelope, the interior approach takes a leading role in shaping how each level is experienced, through material, light and proportion. Arrival begins at the ski-in, ski-out basement. Western Red Cedar and heated bluestone crazy paving form a durable threshold after time on the mountain.... More

The fourth apartment house designed by OOS for Andermatt Swiss Alps AG, with its striking design, already convinced the competition jury in 2008. AVA impressively combines alpine architecture with the requirements of modern living. Dean Jaggi Dean Jaggi The project is designed as a high-quality timber construction with a high proportion of apartments in the upmarket segment. It blends harmoniously into the dense built environment while meeting the highest standards of comfort and aesthetics. Abstract sgraffito patterns used on the exterior create a link between local tradition and modernity. Dean Jaggi Dean Jaggi Dean Jaggi More

Context and Concept Perched at around 1,600 meters above sea level in the tranquil heights of Lüsen, the Herolerhof residential project is conceived less as an object and more as a stance: a gesture of respect for place, history, and nature.The architecture avoids contrast, seeking instead a subtle continuation of the familiar. Inspired by the traditional farmhouses of the Eisack Valley, the building presents a clear, articulated form: a white-plastered ground floor, larch-clad upper levels, and classic pitched roofs with dark coverings. Contemporary touches - frameless glazing, precise metal railings, and refined details - enhance rather than dominate, merging old and new into a harmonious whole. Alex Filz Alex Filz Integr... More

Located on the Rutor Glacier above La Thuile, the Bivacco Edoardo Camardella, was created in memory of Edoardo Camardella, a young mountaineer deeply connected to this alpine landscape. Conceived as a safe shelter for climbers at over 3,000 meters above sea level, the bivouac is lightweight, prefabricated and fully energy autonomous. Photovoltaic panels, energy storage systems and high-performance envelope solutions ensure durability and resistance in extreme weather conditions. A wide glazed façade oriented towards Mont Blanc establishes a strong visual relationship with the surrounding peaks, transforming the structure into both refuge and landmark. Compact, resilient and technologically advanced, the project combines remembrance,... More

 On a prominent hillside at the edge of Chiusa, with an open view of the Säben mountain and its monastery, the grounds of Hotel Camping Ansitz Gamp were expanded through a carefully designed architectural project. To meet growing guest expectations, a new hospitality concept was created that offers the atmosphere of a “second home” – a place of comfort, freedom, and relaxation. Oliver Jaist Oliver Jaist The new ensemble consists of six compact, two-storey chalets set on stilts and integrated into the steep, wooded northwest slope. Terraced along the natural topography and accessed discreetly from the rear, they ensure a high degree of privacy and tranquillity. Built in sustainable prefabricated timber... More

On the Monte Pana plateau in St. Christina, the Hotel Cendevaves has been expanded by an architectural composition that integrates into the Dolomites’ landscape with restraint and sensitivity. The extension is conceived not as a contrast, but as a continuation – in materiality, scale, and atmosphere. Hannes Niederkofler Hannes Niederkofler Hannes Niederkofler Hannes Niederkofler Hannes Niederkofler Wood as the defining design element, generous glazing, and a language of reduced, clear forms shape an architecture of quiet elegance. Connected underground to the existing garage, the new building accommodates 27 light-flooded rooms, including a suite of over 90 square meters. An open breakfast area with flo... More

Situated on a sunlit clearing with sweeping views of the Dolomites, the Ansitz Velseck Residence Hotel is a place that breathes history while providing space for the present. The ensemble revolves around a historic manor, meticulously preserved, while the hotel’s extension has been executed with great restraint. The aim was not to create rupture, but to continue the story of the site—with a refined sensitivity to scale, materiality, and landscape. Hannes Niederkofler Hannes Niederkofler The new guest rooms and wellness area have been gently integrated into a slope, with the existing grassy surface only slightly raised to preserve the natural topography as much as possible. In this way, the new elements blend harmoniou... More

This villa was designed as a tranquil retreat for the AIYA Bureau’s clients to enjoy quality time in the beauty of the Alps. It was essential to connect the interior with the landscape, preserving the natural harmony and enhancing it with refined, high-end design solutions. Caption Caption Caption The villa features a complex yet balanced layout. Although the structure had already been built when the AIYA team joined the project, the entire interior planning, zoning, and furniture arrangement were developed by the bureau. The interior reflects modern alpine luxury with a serene, sophisticated atmosphere, blending contemporary minimalism with natural textures - soft neutral tones, warm wood accents, and expansive glazin... More

Perched atop its ridgeline site, this family home blends contemporary design with the rustic cues of a traditional farmstead or country home. A welcoming, parquet-floored entrance leads to a central kitchen that forms the heart of the home, and the gabled living and dining spaces beyond. John Williams Photography John Williams Photography John Williams Photography John Williams Photography John Williams Photography John Williams Photography John Williams Photography The design draws on the owner’s Scottish heritage and travels through Europe, with spaces balancing subtle texture and refined detail. The home’s interior offers a softness and sense of intimacy that calmly sits in contrast to its... More

The Start House is an energy self-sustained, modular pavilion designed for multiple uses. A pioneering concept for temporary sports infrastructures in the Alps, it was first deployed at an altitude of 3,700 meters on the Matterhorn in Switzerland.  ©ingenhoven associates / Daniel Hager Engineered to endure extreme mountainous conditions, it serves as a shelter for athletes and equipment, incorporating high-tech, recycled and recyclable materials that ensure stability and safety even in severe weather with temperatures as low as -20°C. Integrated solar panels provide complete energy independence. The igloo-inspired streamlined form of the structure, along with its radiant silver skin adorned design, integrates harmoniousl... More

Redefining Staff Spaces in HospitalityBadrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz is almost 130 years old, since it opened it has been associated with Alpine luxury and world-class service. Behind this celebrated guest experience lies a team of +600 employees whose dedication ensures the seamless operation of the hotel. We embarked on the challenge to redefine the staff facilities. This involved transforming the staff restaurant, Bella Vista, into a space that matches the elegance of its guest areas, setting a new benchmark for employee facilities in hospitality. Courtesy of Badrutt's Palace Courtesy of Badrutt's Palace It was really important for us to find a balance between the hotel’s historic legacy and that of the Engad... More

Designed in collaboration with client and designers Jonathan Goss and Cathy Ellegard, this 230 sqm footprint utilises skillfully crafted and organised spaces to deliver a family home in a modest space without compromising on design. Adaptive spaces are able to be opened up or closed down to suit the family’s needs, allowing the couple and their two children to live and work alongside each other. Simon Larkin Simon Larkin Simon Larkin Simon Larkin The sloping site allows the main living spaces and bedrooms to be raised above the driveway for privacy and views. Sculpted concrete steps lead to the entry, with the dramatic backdrop of the Remarkables mountain range beyond. Simon Larkin Simon Larkin Simon... More

The Gallery House in New Zealand by Ben Hudson Architects has been designed to reflect the people who live here, each space telling a story. In this residence, the warmth and richness of timber combines with a palette of neutral whites and the raw beauty of polished concrete to create a series of layered interiors and intimate, gallery-like spaces that showcase the owners’ passion for art and sculpture. John Williams Photography John Williams Photography John Williams Photography The living and dining area is celebrated as a central, pivotal space that is inviting and liveable. Thoughtfully planned around a collection of paintings, sculpture and furniture, attention to detail and craftsmanship has been paid throughout... More