Design: The ski hut Wolf is picture-perfect as a lodge: standing at 22 meters of length, 16 meters of width and 7 meters of height, it rests on a concrete base level looking out onto a stunning mountaintop backdrop at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. The covered terrace, with a depth between 2.20 and 3 meters, accommodates 48 guests. In many aspects, the ski hut is typical for Alpine buildings. For centuries, buildings in the mountains have been set on brick-built base levels. With concrete today playing the role of brick, the principle is still the same: Protecting the wood, perfectly suited to withstanding the extreme climate of the Alps when used correctly in construction, from the destructive influence of moisture.
Wood: The hut is completely covered with untreated, local spruce, effortlessly carrying tradition into modern times. The rough-cut spruce slats are arranged vertically on the exterior walls and sliding doors, in order to improve the runoff of meteoric water, and horizontally in the veranda-covered and interior areas. The vertical facade structure on the outside is continued in the roof, clad with double-slatted spruce panels. The roof and the walls are made of the same wood, only separated by a box gutter made of copper sheet acting as a break between functions.
Commercial Use
Ski Hut Wolf
Lech, Austria
The project – „Building for Guests – distinguishes itself by its bold use of a contemporary design vocabulary, avoiding clichés of Alpine buildings.
Basic information
Technical aspects
Floor Plan
Cross Section
Detail
Year of Completion |
2016
Investor |
Christian Wolf, Lech (AT)
Architecture |
Bernardo Bader Architekten, Dornbirn (AT)
Structural Engineering |
Merz Kley Partner, Dornbirn (AT)
Construction Time |
6 months
Number of floors |
1 + basement
Plot size |
435 m²
Gross floor area |
500 m² (incl. basement)
Awards |
Vorarlberger Holzbaupreis 2017 (Nomination)
Photography |
Pictures 1-4: Adolf Bereuter, Dornbirn (AT)
Technical aspects
Concept |
Timber element construction on solid basement level
Woodworking |
Kaufmann, Zimmerei und Tischlerei GmbH, Reuthe (AT)
Origin of Timber, Certification |
Austria (Vorarlberg)
Traceability of Timber |
Yes (regional forests)
Forestry Value Chain |
Commissioning of local companies
Energy Efficiency Standard |
Energy performance certificate, heating energy demand “B”
Energy Systems |
Pellet heating, , utilization of waste heat, large fireplace in public room
Energy Consumption |
42 kWh/m²a (heating energy demand), 319 kWh/m²a (primary energy demand)
U-Value Wall | Roof | Floor | Windows (W/(m²K)) |
0,25 (average)
Floor Plan
Civil Engineering Works
- 09Hyère River Road Bridge
- 17Stuttgart Wood Bridge
- 27Avisio River Footbridge
- 44Forest Observation House
- 52Elephant House Zoo Zurich
Multistorey Buildings
- 02HoHo Wien
- 10Building Cooperative Habrico
- 28Social Housing Via Cenni
- 45Karantanika Apartments
Residential Buildings
- 03Stürcherwald House
- 11Chalet Chantemerle
- 29Jesolo Lido Pool Villa
- 46Scandinavian House
Commercial Use
- 04Ski Hut Wolf
- 12Sheep Stable
- 30Oberholz Mountain Hut
- 47Youth Hostel Punkl
Office Buildings
- 01Illwerke Zentrum Montafon
- 05Wälder Insurance
- 13Administrative Offices
- 31LignoAlp Office Building
Refurbishment and Restoration
- 06Working quarters Josef Weiss
- 22Freiburger Hof
- 32Passeggiata dei Castani
- 49Upgrading of Hotel Terme
- 50Alpine Barn Apartment
Public Buildings
- 07Civic Center
- 08Fire Station Thal
- 15Passive House School
- 33Community Center Caltron
- 51EXPANO Pavilion
- 57Théâtre Vidy Pavilion
Special Projects
- 06aLoft in the Barn
- 34Sasso Nero Mountain Hut
- 35Veidlerhof
- 36Tree of Life
- 48Wooden Interventions