Oberholz Mountain Hut

Design: Built at an altitude of around 2 000 meters next to the Oberholz ropeway station, the new mountain hut grows out of the slope like a fallen tree, forming a symbiotic relationship with the landscape. The externally visible parts of the building are guided by elements of the local building culture, for instance the roof shape, while the complex interior reinterprets the layout of traditional Dolomite Alps mountain huts. The large glass facades of the three building segments face the three most important mountains in the vicinity, opening the view spectacularly for the guests of the restaurant.

Wood: The loadbearing and non-loadbearing timber elements, as well as the furniture, are entirely made out of wood from the Alpine region. Other than spruce for the loadbearing structure and the interior finishing, larch was used for the facade and oak for the furniture. All pieces were processed and constructed by local craftsmen.

Energy: The employment of sustainable technologies such as a geothermal heat pump helped the building to be a lowest-energy building and reach the Casa Clima class A certificate.