Revolutionizing Hospitality: The Tofana Hotel

Mountain-Inspired Design Transforms Italian Hotel into an Explorer's Home

The Tofana Hotel, located in San Cassiano, underwent a complete demolition and reconstruction, resulting in a building that is as much a part of the natural landscape as it is a man-made structure. The design concept, termed the "Explorer's Home", reflects the athletic spirit of the owners, who are yoga and Pilates instructors, mountain bikers, ski and snowboard instructors, and mountaineers. The hotel acts as a base camp for guests, with the mountain serving as an abstract conceptual inspiration for the entire architecture.

The unique properties of the design are evident in the hotel's silhouette, which mirrors the shape of a tree-lined mountain peak. The main feature of the facade design is the surrounding terraces and vertical connections in the form of external staircases and ramps. These not only serve the purpose of fire protection but also connect the outside areas and different floors. The main materials used are reinforced concrete for the constructional parts, plastering for the external facade, and large windows in all rooms to allow guests to enjoy the panoramic views.

The hotel's interior design follows the alternating natural landscape of the Badia Valley. Furniture and sofas in blue, green, and brown tones suggest alpine meadows, biotopes, moss forests, or rock caves. Small, playful details like lampshades made out of iron wire, reminiscent of oil lanterns in an Alm hut, and tiles on the bathroom floor, wall, and ceiling that prod the guest back to Grandma's time, make the rooms unique. Small mirrors, inscribed with words and sayings in the local Ladine dialect, give each room an individual character.

The Tofana Hotel project started in April 2016 and was completed in December 2016. Despite the challenges of transforming an originally compact building into a layered structural landscape, the design team managed to create a structure that sustainably reflects its surroundings. The design was awarded Platinum in A' Hospitality, Recreation, Travel and Tourism Design Award in 2018, recognizing its world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative design that contributes to societal wellbeing.

With its unique design and commitment to reflecting the natural beauty of its surroundings, the Tofana Hotel is more than just a place to stay. It's a testament to the power of innovative design and a tribute to the spirit of exploration and adventure.