Alpine architecture
An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about alpine architecture
Project • By PLUS ULTRA studio • Heritages
MCG | Casa dei Birilli
A Walser house at the foot of Monte Rosa whose history dates back to the 17th century. Located on the edge of the village of Macugnanga near the old church, the house was once a bishop's residence near the Walser Dorf of Staffa. Over the years, the house passed to its current owners, who have lived in it and cared for it for more than four generations. The confrontation with an artefact of such value led to the careful consideration of every intervention with a view to not distorting its architecture.
Federico Villa
Federico Villa
Federico Villa
The limits imposed by the availability of materials, their qualities, the physical capabilities of men and animals, and the orographic and environmental characteristics have always s... More
News • News • 12 Dec 2023
ATP architects engineers completes a sustainable production facility in Tyrol
ATP architects engineers has completed a new production facility for Ceratizit (a global specialist in the production of carbide tools), in Breitenwang, a Municipality in Reutte District, Tyrol, Austria. Surrounded by a picturesque alpine landscape, the huge three-story facility, built as a cutting-edge grinding and tool-making plant, is entirely clad in timber, its large windows reflecting the mountains and greenery.
ATP/Bause
ATP/Bause
Site plan:
ATP
Construction of the new site commenced in 2019 and was completed in 2023. With a gross floor area of 45,000 square meters (484,376 square feet), the new plant houses production facilities, storage, logistics, office spaces, and social areas for more than 300 emplo... More
News • News • 29 Aug 2023
Lacroix Chessex completes a contemporary renovation of a characterful Swiss home
In the small village of Vésenaz on the outskirts of Geneva, Swiss architectural studio Lacroix Chessex has undertaken a careful and contemporary renovation of “Maison à la Capite” (House in La Capite), a traditional, characterful home. The studio renovated the existing building and added a contemporary extension across two levels.
Olivier di Giambattista
Olivier di Giambattista
Maison à la Capite is sited on a 60-meter-long x 8-meter-wide strip-shaped plot of land, covering a surface area of 464 square meters (4,994 square feet), which is typical of plots found in the vicinity. The house sits on the highest point of a steep 8-meter slope. Facing south-east/north-west, the slope affords vie... More
News • News • 21 Jul 2023
25 best architecture firms in Switzerland
Swiss architecture is renowned for its unparalleled focus on functionality, innovation and seamless integration with the surrounding landscapes. Rooted in a rich heritage influenced by neighbouring countries and international movements, Swiss architecture has carved a unique identity in harmony with nature. The Swiss have long embraced the concept of "form follows function," ensuring that every building serves a purpose beyond mere aesthetics. This philosophy is quite evident from the simplicity of traditional Swiss chalets defined by wooden construction to contemporary architecture that prioritizes environmentally conscious materials and design.
In the contemporary context, Swiss architects have shaped modern architecture through the esta... More
Project • By PLASMA STUDIO • Restaurants
Biwak 12
Biwak 12 is the conversion of a typical 1980s restaurant located in the mountain village of Moso, in the heart of the Sesto Dolomites, in South Tyrol. In a small village everything revolves around the theme of the mountains: the idea is to create a meeting place where young and experienced mountaineers, local population and tourists can stay together in a relaxed colorful atmosphere.
Michael Pezzei
Michael Pezzei
The design concept borrows the elements of a typical bivouac – specifically, the red alpine hut at the foot of the Croda dei Toni / Cima 12, which forms the pivot of the local mountain panorama - and integrates them into the reconfiguration of spaces. Both exteriors and interiors, therefore, are conceived alluding... More
News • News • 26 Jan 2023
Contemporary renovation of a mountain lodge by SBSA maintains vernacular links with the surrounding landscape
In northern Italy, Mountain Lodge S. Stefano by Sandri Barbara Smaniotto Andrea Architetti (SBSA) is a refurbishment project of a traditional tabià (formerly a stable and barn) and a much-loved mountain family home. The contemporary renovation maintains strong local agricultural links to the surrounding landscape.
SBSA
Situated on a sloping site, the home is developed over three stories. The first level is partially underground and constructed with a mixture of stone and concrete; the second level, which accommodates the main entrance, is built with wooden pillars and beams—finally, the attic level cantilevers on all four sides.Maintaining the fragile balance and coherence between the vernacular tradition and co... More
Project • By lechner & lechner architects • Apartments
above the trees
The building site, located on a slope in Salzburg City, is accessed via a small road. The hillside location offers the possibility of designing a structure that allows the hillside to be experienced in its various altitudes, creates a connection to the outside space and enables distant views.
Julian Höck
Except for the covered forecourt on the ground floor, the structure is kept compact. The forecourt is dominated by the top floor and creates a valuable horizontal surface on the mountain. The primary relationship to the outside space is created by ceiling-high window areas, which are oriented analogously to the balconies and terraces east, south and west.
Melissa Zgouridi
The floor plan tapers towards the distant view. This... More
News • News • 31 Oct 2022
llabb architects complete light and contemplative retreat in stunning Val Trebbia
With initially only its entrance door visible, the Hermitage by llabb in Val Trebbia is a rectangular volume approached from the northwest of the property. The walls on three sides of the volume are clad with horizontally oriented plywood boards. The fourth side opens up to the valley with expansive views made possible by four full-height glazed panels.
Anna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi, Studio Campo
The walls, floor, and ceiling are made of Okoumè marine plywood panels, a wood that was selected for its resistance to weathering. The facades are attached to spacer battens to create an air space between the facade and the walls, an assembly which improves insulation performance.
Anna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi, Studio Ca... More
News • News • 6 Jul 2022
Chalet D by monovolume architecture + design brings new life to alpine architecture
Located in the Austrian Alps, Chalet D is a family holiday home that includes a spa area. Modern and contemporary, the renovation and design by monovolume architecture + design bring new life to an existing alpine building.
Meraner and Hauser
Featured materials such as light oak wood, dry stone walls, and exposed beams enforce the alpine feeling with wood exteriors returned to their original state and appearance.
Meraner and Hauser
Numerous interior fireplaces offer a warm environment while blue tones used throughout the interior refer to water – a central element of relaxation in the lower-level spa.
Meraner and Hauser
Alongside this, existing cross beams have been restored and made visible through dark colour... More
News • News • 17 May 2022
Baumschlager Eberle Architecten create an architectural statement for a natural setting in Alpe Furx
On a sloping site in the Austrian ski resort of Alpe Furx, this holiday and leisure development by Baumschlager Eberle Architekten comprises twelve chalets integrated with their context and a new hospitality building replacing an old hotel.
Albrecht Immanuel Schnabel
Key concepts during the design process included a respectful treatment of ground and grade, high amenity values, and a thoughtful relationship between the structures themselves. The resulting site plan features is a small development with three groups of four chalet buildings arranged in a naturalistic manner.
Albrecht Immanuel Schnabel
To preserve views of the mountain and the nearby chapel, the main hospitality building is located below the chalets. Containi... More
News • News • 14 May 2022
Luconi architetti mix modern elements with traditional Alpine architecture
Located in the Alpine region of Madesimo, Italy, Baita MV by Luconi architetti comprises an extension and interior renovation of an existing hut that was previously renovated by another owner.
Marcello Mariana
Keeping much of the existing structure, external changes include the replacement of fixed wooden cladding with a system of opening doors that when in use reveal new large windows overlooking the mountainous landscape from the mezzanine level. The result is a building with two characters – one more traditional when closed and another more contemporary, light, and transparent when open.
Marcello Mariana
The project is conceived at two very different levels – both in the program and in character. The u... More
News • News • 13 Mar 2022
Viktoria by Architekt Andreas Gruber speaks to the simple vernacular of South Tyrol
Named for the client herself, Viktoria is a residential building located in Vals, South Tyrol. The house has a south-facing prospect over the Vals valley with its striking mountain slopes and peaks.
Gustav Willeit
Surrounded by predominantly agricultural buildings, the local vernacular is very simple with reduced forms, pitched roofs and limited materials. In response, Architekt Andreas Gruber developed a design for Viktoria that integrates landscape and building.
Gustav Willeit
The compact three-floor building with an isosceles gable roof is entered from the main entrance n the ground floor. The levels above are accessed via a straight internal staircase centralized in the building. Floor areas in include a spacious living room... More
Project • By Ben Hudson Architects • Private Houses
Peninsula House
The Peninsula House occupies a tricky site on a rocky outcrop overlooking Lake Wakatipu, in Queenstown, New Zealand. To reflect the owners' relaxed style of living, the home was designed simply and efficiently, without fuss or excess.
Larkin Design
The clean, folded geometry of the roofline informs a clear hierarchy of spaces within. The roof extends to create a porch that frames views to the surrounding lake and mountains, and provide a variety of outdoor spaces to suit the differing weather patterns.
Larkin Design
Larkin Design
Passive house principles were adopted in the design. This lakeside retreat is a modest, compact home that has a relaxed connection to its environment.
Larkin Design
Caption
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News • News • 8 May 2021
Architecture of Kindergarden Enneberg encourages children to creatively develop their senses and abilities
A playful place for learning, this kindergarten extension in South Tyrol by Architekt Andreas Gruber was developed in close collaboration with educational staff to create a light-filled, child-friendly space that encourages children to learn through playful games and interaction with their immediate environment.
Gustav Willeit
The exterior façade, made of thermal brick, plaster, and natural wood, reflects the playful nature of children and the project concept with the use of colour, different heights and distances of windows, which frame different alpine landscape views.
Gustav Willeit
The flexible classrooms feature a range of scales and proportions, providing accessibility along with more sheltered and reserved places,... More
News • News • 27 Apr 2021
The Eagle Mountain Top Restaurant derives its rock-like form from the Austrian landscape
Located at 2000m above sea level in Sankt Lorenzen Austria, the Eagle Mountain Top Restaurant by Viereck Architects is designed as a crystalline or rock-like form with the shape of the façade derived from the orientation and view from the site itself. Main elevations offer the most spectacular views into the landscape, with clear heights being close to six meters.
Tom Lamm
Large visible CLT beams define the restaurant space along with CLT ceiling slabs. The CLT beams are organized into a star formation, adding a dramatic ceiling feature. Triangular areas between beams are filled with perforated acoustic panels in timber, with ventilation and electrical systems concealed behind. Slender CLT columns lean inwards in two dire... More