Schgaguler Hotel

The Hotel Schgaguler in Castelrotto, South Tyrol, is a complete renovation of a 1986 hotel, designed by Peter Pichler Architecture (lead architects Peter Pichler and Silvana Ordinas; project architect Simona Alu'; with Martin Schgaguler for interiors and Lichtstudio Eisenkeil for lighting) after the practice won the 2015 competition. The hotel sits in the heart of the UNESCO-protected Dolomites, in the small village of Castelrotto, known for its folk culture and its close ties to the surrounding mountains. A minimalist, timeless architecture is held to be essential to an attractive boutique hotel; an Alpine idiom combined with restrained aesthetics produces genuine well-being, and an open, transparent house invites guests to enjoy views of the village and the peaks. The project is composed of three separate volumes that reuse the structure of the former building, respecting the existing fabric and context while reinterpreting Alpine tradition in a contemporary way and reconciling it with the local pitched-roof typology. An exoskeletal facade changes with orientation and use: on the north and east, where corridors and public rooms require relatively shallow depth, the facade stays compact; on the south, a tapered plan geometry creates deeper recesses and natural shade. The facades are finished in bright-grey lime paint inspired by the surrounding mountains. Culture and tradition are key to the design, and the spare, functional interiors keep an open plan while using abundant local materials such as chestnut wood, local stone and textiles. Public spaces the lobby, bar and restaurant occupy the ground floor; beside the bar, a spacious, sunlit terrace looks toward the Sciliar. A health spa and beauty facilities sit on the lower level, while rooms and suites occupy the upper floors, themed around timeless comfort; open bathrooms with freestanding tubs invite a hot bath after hiking or skiing.