Network of Architecture has created a hotel project in Italy that embraces traditional mountain heritage with forward-thinking verve.

The project is set in a South Tyrolean ensemble of an old inn, residential house, and traditional barn. It encompasses two buildings: one hosting the public area with a reception, bistro, bar, and wellness area, the other the private area with a total of 15 guest suites.

At first glance, they appear singular and together they form a permeable courtyard context. However, there is an ingenious connection, a hallway that elegantly vanishes under an artificially created hill – hence disappearing out of sight.

The relationship between the centuries-old tradition of the rural complex and the exclusively modern architecture statement can be seen both in the mainstay of the structure – traditional gable roofs and a dynamic façade design with reinforcing slanted elements replicating the design of the struts and brackets of the historically listed barn while translating them into a modern statement – and in materials such as wood from the farm’s own woods used in the trapezoid forms.

This project has been longlisted in the hospitality building category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

Architect: NOA

Project: Aeon

Read more: NOA