Architecture in the Alps

OMG headlines this week's eye-candy-packed edit as we explore the Alps through a new lens of beauty - be warned, chalet-lovers, this may not be your glass of Schnaps! Be brutally blessed, conjure up an epic of Star Trek with Major Tom, find the light and never want to leave the ski lifts for sheer beauty - Hadid, Snøhetta, Battista, Walter Maria Förderer and Olafur Eliasson. Rest your creative mind in the equally hot blueprints, we pitstop some of our archi-hotel-hotties for you to stay in the Alps by architects Matteo Thun, Martin Gruber, Peter Pichler, Pedevilla and NOA. Let's kick off this architectural edit with ain's thoughts on the theory of the round square...

"A square peg doesn't fit a round hole..."

When I hear this idiom, my immediate thought in reply is: then I'll make me a round square! Other popular phrases like "Don't upset the apple cart" or "He's too big for his boots" all inspire me to think of a clever reply. Indeed, they spur the creative flow - I want to tip up the apple cart, and if the boots don't fit, get some sandals. 

The playful thought of 'a round square' appeals to me; it's an Iain philosophy I like to keep close to me when I fear I am becoming somewhat 'normal' or bland in approach. It's an ailment that is best cured by a visit to the museum, an exhibition, a vernissage or a night in with a good book - I am currently engrossed in Piet Oudolf At Work - his architectural approach to landscaping is a perfect antidote to plain thinking. 

Architecture and spatial design are my other inspiring siblings, and whilst recently playing judge and casting my votes for the hottest new additions within the hotel world, I was thinking of the round square ideology. I was pleasantly blown away by the boldness of vernacular architecture in the Alps that gives convention a nudge or rewrites the rule book of 'norm' but still remains terribly familiar and at home. Architectural heroes draw on nature, customs and elemental protection to colour their ideas. Their blueprints are reason enough for me to pack my bags and head off. See, food is not the only reason for me to grab the passport. 

Gorgeously abstract, juxtaposed and in opposition to the template of the norm, this edit features some of Europe's most spectacular architectural outposts that pepper the mountains. 

Tip over the apple carts of convention and always try to find a way of creating a round square, even if it only remains in your head. Here's to those who dared to dream and were never interested in counting those apples from the cart.  Explore our little wunderkammer of archi-beauts found in the Alps, from museums, ski-lift stations, churches and our places to stay.  

Hugs from Londinium, 

Iain & Co.

Although we associate the Alps with tradition, it’s also a hotbed of radical innovation as seen in our lineup of cool mountain architecture by some of our favourite architects, artists and designers. 

Read on for mountain eye-candy of style in the Alps from super cool ski stations, architectural alpine cabins, thought-provoking art installations to standout sharp viewpoints.

A Snow-Clad Snøhetta

Topping Mount Wiedersberger Horn in Austria’s Tyrolean Alps, Norwegian architects Snøhetta have created ‘Top of Alpbachtal’, a timber-clad viewpoint designed to enhance skiers experience by providing shelter and a panorama over the surrounding snow-dusted peaks. Commissioned by the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area, the new timber beacon sits by the Hornbahn2000 cable car.

With a façade made up of wooden shingles crafted by a local wood worker, the Top of Alpbachtal references traditional alpine design where wooden tiles are layered over one another for durable protection against the elements. It also creates a uniform aesthetic which works well with the angular modern design and sleek panel of horizontal glass, allowing for a minimalist ‘watchtower’ concept to emerge. 

Eliasson’s Concept of Time

In a landscape made up of craggy cliffs and jagged peaks, this spherical art installation atop the Hochjochferner in South Tyrol glacier stands out. Which was artist Olafur Eliasson’s intention as this globe-shaped sculpture named ‘Our Glacial Perspectives’ crowns a glacier threatened by climate change.

The installation located on Mount Grawand, is inspired by the traditional armillary sphere, an artefact created in 16th century with different rings to monitor the sun, moon and stars, and therefore time. Eliasson’s version has multiple steel rings and tinted blue glass, with a viewing panel so visitors can engage with glacial perspectives and measure time. Thepathway to the installation has ten hoops, five of which represent the Earth’s ice ages. Contemplating the vastness of the landscape against the minute ticking of the clock brings our rapidly warming world into stark focus.

Ötzi’s Observation

Corten steel wraps around the summit of Ötzi’s peak, 3251 metres above sea level and the place of discovery - the most famous glacier mummy in the world, iceman Ötzi. This project was for the architecture and interior design studio NOA (Network of Architecture) based in Bolzano, who designed the floating observatory deck called Ötzi Peak 3251m on the Schnalstal Valley Glacier in South Tyrol.

Perched on rocky ground, Ötzi Peak 3251m blends into the existing summit cross with a light footprint, only secured where necessary. This also creates a freeing, up-in-the-clouds experience for visitors, paired with the weathered steel which reflects the exposed nature of the environment and does not detract from the mountain panorama. There is also a nod to our favourite iceman Ötzi with a carved-out funnel which directs the eye to the glacier where he was discovered.

Sheltered Calm

Mountain refuges have been around for as long as we’ve explored altitudinous peaks, but as well as a place of shelter, they reflect our interest and advancements in alpine architecture.

In northwest Italy’s region of Valle d’Aosta, architectural studio and sustainable designers BCW Collective have experimented with form and function with an aluminium-clad cantilevered cabin that hangs over a rocky slab, anchored by a metal frame and insulated in wood. Created as a memorial to politician and alpinist Claudio Brédy, who sadly lost his life in a climbing accident, the cabin creates a safe resting place for climbers as well as a glazed orientation for mountain contemplation. 

Ski Theatrics

Plans in the making are with our favourite Milan-based architects, Peter Pichler Architecture to oversee the new design of a ski station in Ponte di Legno in Italy. A sleek pitched-roof structure will house three cable lines as well as create room for a cultural centre that will showcase the region’s heritage and the preservation of World War 1 tunnels that were found near the site.

The design aims to merge the structure naturally into the environment; with panels of glass facing altitudinous views to enhance the journey of the individual on their ascent up the mountains as well as muted timber interiors to allow the topography to sing. In keeping with PPA’s dedication to sustainability, natural materials of wood and stone take centre stage.