messner architects' monte specie 2305m.a.s.l lookout in the dolomites

messner architects’ monte specie 2305m.a.s.l lookout in the dolomites
all images courtesy of messner architects

the dolomites are a series of nine mountainous systems spread over 142,000 hectares of valleys, rivers, and terrain in northeastern italy. since 2010, the region has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, left to the protection of fondazione dolomiti-dolomiten-dolomites-dolomitis created by the provinces of belluno, bolzano, pordenone, trento, and udine.

the outer perimeter is made of dark steel, filled with rubble and other material found on-site

in 2012, the foundation asked messner architects, along with sculptor franz messner, to design and install look outs and info structures in different visitor-heavy points within the vast territory. after developing a design prototype, and patiently awaiting approval from the hyper-efficient italian bureaucracy — the proposal was commissioned for construction.

a small valley leads to a circular opening in the center of the platform, where informations is located

the idea behind the most recently finished look out, ‘monte specie 2,305m.a.s.l.’, was to create a sensible intervention that creates a strong connection to the landscape. rather than adding discrete pieces of infrastructure, the form physically transforms the land. the partly floating structure is made of steel, with an infill of rubble and other materials from the site. a small valley-like opening allows visitors into a circular opening, where all information — also designed by messner architects — is located. the look out stands proudly out of the mountaintop, a symbolic point that stands on its own against the massive magnificence of the surrounding view. 

detail of the outer perimeter 

the whole structure is thought to be walkable, underlining the idea of a transformed landscape

information about landscape and geology of the dolomiti UNESCO world heritage site

a circular index made of stainless steel shows all summits visible from the info point

looking out over the tre cime, three of the site’s famous mountains

visitors at ‘monte specie 2,305 m.a.s.l.’

path to the lookout 

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edited by: nick brink | designboom