peter pichler designs luxury 'tree suites' elevated within an austrian forest

milan-based studio, peter pichler architecture, has unveiled images of their latest project designed for a tree-covered site close to the austrian town of kitzbühel. aptly titled ‘tree suites‘, the proposal is envisioned to form part of a new 7-star hotel development. the timber structures, which rise amid the forest, intend to connect guests with nature and provide a unique experience, similarly to the studio’s previous sustainable treehouse projects conceived for sites in italy and the US.

all images courtesy of peter pichler architecture

elevated off the forest floor, guests access their suites via a glass elevator that arrives directly up to the room. varying between 60m2 to 80m2, the luxury suites include a generous bedroom and bathroom. the bedroom boasts an unobstructed glazed façade that opens up to a balcony space, offering views out over the surrounding treetops and mountains and allowing guests to feel secluded in their very own slice of alpine nature. the larger units also comprise a private living room and a sauna in the bathroom.

when approaching the project, one of the design team’s main concepts was to create a place that bridges the divide between man and the natural environment. additionally, the tree suites also make reference to local vernacular architecture. with this in mind, the structures employ the use of local materials and a typical gable roof pitch, evoking the poetic image of a house and in short, creating a ‘spatial experience within nature.’

in their contemporary interpretation of vernacular buildings, the architects have applied a wooden exoskeleton that wraps around the entire building. this structure is composed of two layers: a diagrid structure and a second layer made of intersecting timber sticks to filter the light and afford privacy. during the day, light will filter through the external skin to create a playful effect of light and shadows. at night, the structures will glow in the forest. the application of wood works twofold, firstly to reflect a local and sustainable material and secondly, to provide a warm, cozy feeling within the spaces.