peter pichler completes wood-wrapped mountain restaurant in the italian alps

the ‘oberholz mountain hut’ is a restaurant and lounge facility which protrudes out from the italian dolomites 2,000 meters above sea level. the scheme, which won a competition back in 2015, is designed by milan-based firm peter pichler architecture and pavol mikolajcak. now completed, the new mountain hut provides a restaurant destination located next to the oberholzcable station with direct connection to the snow-covered ski slopes.

all images © oskar dariz / jens rüßman

peter pichler architecture and pavol mikolajcak created a main cantilevering structure that seemingly ‘grows’ out of the steep terrain to reference a fallen tree. this metaphor is explored with the structure being divided into three main ‘branches’. inside, these branches double as house-shaped tunnels that have been divided into three dining areas; each perfectly framing a picturesque view of the mountain landscape. the hut’s interiors follow the material expression of the exterior which has been constructed all in wood: structural elements and interior in spruce, the façade in larch, furniture in oak – all typical timbers from the area.

the interior is defined by a complex, curvilinear and visible wood structure that gradually fades into walls

the exposed truss system of the ceiling creates a dynamic visual expression and directs attention to the sloping roof structure which gradually dissolves into the walls. in turn, this has created ‘pockets’ for more intimate spaces in the main restaurant and lounge area. located by the entrance is a bar which opens out to a sprawling outdoor terrace and the journey continues into the restaurant. the project embraces the local architecture recognized in the area and this inherently expresses a contemporary interpretation of the classic mountain hut.

these ‘branches’ have created intimate spaces separated from the main dining area

each branch frames a different view of the landscape

the interior uses spruce wood in its construction

the sloped roof shape references typical huts in the area

large glass windows provide uninterrupted views of the mountains

the bar is located next to the entrance and is directly connected to the restaurant

outdoor seating area overlooking the dolomites

the moutain hut is located in obereggen, südtirol, italy

the building’s snow-covered roofs

skiers passing by the restaurant

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project info:

architecture: peter pichler architecture & arch. pavol mikolajcak
year: 2015 winning competition to april 2016
location: obereggen, südtirol, italy
client: obereggen ag / spa
engineer: dr. ing. andreas erlacher
credits: peter pichler, pavol mikolajcak, gianluigi d´alosio, simona alu, giovanni paterlini, matteo savoia, silvana ordinas, krzysztof zinger, jens kellner
photography: oskar dariz, jens rüßman

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