Pedevilla Architects: Hotel Bühelwirt - best architects 19

Pedevilla Architects

Hotel Bühelwirt

best architects 19

commercial/industrial buildings

Place

Ahrntal / Italy

Photos

Gustav Willeit

Description

The location of the tradition-steeped hiking hotel is described as «at the Bühel», right next to the village church, at 1200 metres above sea level. In order not to compromise the existing structure in terms of use, views and sunlight, the extension was positioned «down towards the valley», looking north. The new hotel building accommodates twenty rooms, a restaurant and spa across six storeys. Its distinctive form comes from a deep, asymmetrical saddle roof and diagonally projecting bay windows – in response to the local climatic conditions. The green gleam of the black timber façade reflects the colour of the lush green to black forests all round, making nature and topography seem to merge with the building. The rooms are reduced to the essentials, with a focus on the mountain views. Characteristic elements of the local building typology have been translated and reinterpreted here. The use of larch wood from the surrounding forests conveys a sense of cosiness, while green aggregates from the nearby copper mine lend the rendered surfaces a slight shimmer and echo the colours of the mountain landscape to give the interiors a familiar feeling. Strong regional references can also be found in the handcrafted copper lamp fixtures and curtains from the local loden maker. The careful selection of regionally produced materials thus creates a congenial and «homely» atmosphere.