three new rest areas have been created by messner architects along a hiking trail in northern italy. the circular hiking trail ‘knottnkino³’ connects a series of rock formations known as ‘knottn’, which appear suddenly above the forest 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) northwest of bolzano. the initial theme for the new path was created by the late artist franz messner in 2000 and enlists the creativity of artists antoinette bader and michael fliri, each at one of the new rest areas.

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
all images and video by oliver jaist

 

 

at the first stop of the knottnkino, rotstein-knott, the rest area evolves through circular cuts in the terrain, an even, from the porphyry elaborated space with a bench and a backrest. the circular segments submerge into the landscape and dissolve. the only thing that remains on the surface are traces in the form of lines. here, as the first of the three curated artworks, the wind rose is a ‘petroglyph’ art piece created by the designer antoinette bader and has been engraved into the horizontal environment.

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
the rotstein-knott

 

 

located directly above the town of verano, the beimstein-knott offers sweeping views across the landscape below. the installation ‘attimo’ was realized using the sketches of franz messner (who passed away in 2017) and comprises five chairlift seats alongside an imaginary and hazardous route. with a spectacular view of the village, the installation creates a continuity with verano’s existing cable car.

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
the rotstein-knott

 

 

timpfler-knott, the lowest of the three rock formations, offers a calm, almost mystical atmosphere. as with the rotstein-knott, circular incisions transform the terrain to create another seated rest area. here, a micheal fliri sculpture of two human hands creates the shadow of a wolf — the animal that lends its name to the art work.

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
the rotstein-knott

 

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
the rotstein-knott

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
antoinette bader’s ‘windrose’ at the rotstein-knott

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
the beimstein-knott

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
‘attimo’ installation by franz messner at the beimstein-knott

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
‘attimo’ installation by franz messner at the beimstein-knott

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
the timpfler-knott

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
michael fliri’s ‘wolf’ at the timpfler-knott

messner architects create three rest areas on hiking trail in north italy
the timpfler-knott

 

 

project info:

 

name: knottnkino³ rest areas
location: verano (BZ), italy
dates: 2015-2019
design of the rock carvings, curation of the art works & construction supervision: messner architects
artists: antoinette bader, franz messner, michael fliri
contractors: südtirol.stein archplay
photography and video footage: oliver jaist
project coordinator: ulrike vent
client: community of verano

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: philip stevens | designboom