The Sporthotel Obereggen, perched at 5,085 feet above sea level between ski slopes and hiking trails at the foot of the Latemar and Rosengarten mountain ranges, has completed a remarkable architectural transformation that seamlessly blends modern design with traditional Alpine heritage. After more than 50 years as a cornerstone of South Tyrol's hospitality landscape, the hotel has undergone a careful renovation that introduces contemporary elements while maintaining its deep connection to the local environment.
Architect Fabio Giovanelli spearheaded the renovation and expansion project with a clear vision: to move away from the classic mountain style without losing the connection to the location. The architectural transformation features a new panoramic swimming pool, expansive wellness areas, and a striking facade that creates an engaging dialogue between old and new. Colors and materials were carefully selected to interact harmoniously with both the landscape and local architectural traditions, resulting in a building that stands as a testament to thoughtful design.
The renovation was completed in two distinct construction phases, each contributing to a cohesive overall appearance. The first phase began in 2020 with the expansion and facade renovation of the street-facing main building. Workers utilized a prefabricated wooden system from Wolf Haus, supplemented with steel elements, and completed the on-site construction in less than three months. The most striking feature of this phase is the rhythmically arranged wooden columns that serve as load-bearing elements for the balcony railings while giving the building structure and character.
The second construction phase, completed at the end of 2023, encompasses a new, elevated building that stylistically distinguishes itself from the existing structure while maintaining harmonious dialogue through its form and material choices. The bronze-colored PREFA wall diamonds give the new structure an independent identity that elegantly integrates into the landscape without dominating the main building or competing with the surrounding greenery. Inside, a modern wellness area features a spectacular pool on the terrace, sun deck, and panoramic views over the Dolomites.
The supporting structure of the new building consists primarily of wood, with only the foundation slab and elevator shaft constructed in concrete. Precise planning and careful coordination of all construction phases ensured a stable, sustainable, and aesthetically convincing implementation. The hotel's strategic and panoramic location offers visitors an impressive view of the newly designed facades from the moment they arrive.
Architect Giovanelli deliberately chose wood as the primary building material, not only because prefabrication shortened construction time, but also for its natural aesthetics and cultural significance. Wood integrates harmoniously into the landscape and references the centuries-old tradition of handcrafted wooden buildings in South Tyrol, representing a living, everyday, and inherently friendly material. The collaboration with Wolf Haus, a specialist in energy-efficient wooden buildings, enabled the realization of a sustainable structure.
The construction is based on a stable wooden structure with efficient wood fiber insulation, supplemented by a heat pump and modern building technology system. The goal was to minimize energy consumption and environmental impact of the new wellness area, which typically requires intensive energy use. The choice of PREFA wall diamonds 29x29 also contributes to sustainability, as aluminum is durable, fully recyclable, and offers an environmentally friendly solution with unlimited reusability.
The decision to use bronze-colored PREFA wall diamonds was both functional and aesthetic. The diamond-shaped elements, precisely installed by experienced sheet metal worker Andreas Pichler of Andreas Pichler Bauspengler, create a scale-like effect reminiscent of reptilian skin, producing a dynamic interplay of structure and light. The bronze-colored surface reflects sunlight from sunrise to sunset, giving the building a dynamic, almost sculptural presence that creates an architectural statement harmoniously integrated into nature while attracting attention through its inherent radiance rather than loudness.
PREFA Aluminum Products GmbH has been successfully developing, producing, and marketing aluminum roofing, solar, and facade systems throughout Europe for nearly 80 years. The PREFA Group employs around 700 people total, with production of over 5,000 high-quality products exclusively in Austria and Germany. PREFA is part of the corporate group of industrialist Dr. Cornelius Grupp, which employs over 8,000 people worldwide across more than 40 production sites. The Sporthotel Obereggen project stands as a new landmark in the Dolomites, demonstrating how contemporary architecture can honor tradition while embracing innovation.
