Designing for Winter: Mountain Getaways

The resort is designed as three cantilevered volumes branching out from the hillside, each oriented toward a specific mountain peak. Large glass at the end of each branch frame the landscape, while the sloped rooflines reference traditional alpine huts. Inside, the curving wood structure is visible and is made from local woods. Spruce for structure and interior, larch for the facade, and oak for the furniture.

House with Gable uses two wood types to define both the facade and interior: a durable exterior timber cladding that blends with the landscape, and a warmer interior wood that brings softness to the living spaces.

Barin Ski Resort is shaped to blend with the snow-covered mountain, replacing the original rectangular structure with a fluid form that mimics natural ice formations. Each of the 67 rooms is treated like a carved “cell,” using dome-shaped interiors and curved surfaces to create a cave-like retreat after skiing.

Gaudin House sits 1,760 meters above sea level and the main intervention is a large glass opening, giving the interior full views of the Alps. Inside, larch paneling creates a warm contrast to the barn’s original stone structure, making the space comfortable while preserving its simple, rustic character.

Konieczny’s Ark gains its floating appearance from the way the building is “twisted,” allowing only one corner to touch the ground while the rest hangs over the edge of the hill. This solution addressed security concerns on the remote site and lifted the bedroom level upward. Combined with the gable form required by local law, the raised structure creates the distinct impression above the landscape.

organized around a split plan: a main linear volume that follows the terrain and then divides into two separate living wings. This shift creates distinct zones for dining, relaxing and circulation while adapting efficiently to the slope of the site. The split layout also opens up multiple sightlines, allowing the fully glazed end walls to frame different mountain views from each wing.

The mirrored surfaces visually pull the surrounding forest into the facade, making the structure appear as though it contains the trees within it. Combined with black steel and charred cedar cladding, the reflective element breaks up the mass and creates the connection between the cottage and its setting.

The new Santnerpass Shelter sits at 2,734 meters and is built as a steep triangular timber structure designed for stability and protection in extreme alpine conditions. The exterior is clad in galvanized sheet metal that shifts in color with the light, orange and yellow at sunset, blue in the morning, allowing the building to merge with the surrounding Dolomite rock and sky.