[ plasmastudio ] Strata hotel

Addition to Residence Koenigswarte, Sesto- Italy

completed November 2007

Located on a steep hillside in the Italian Dolomites this new-built hotel has been developed as the interweaving of the free-flowing topography- indexed and organized by series of timber strips- and the serial sequence of apartment units perpendicular to it.

Skin organisation as strata
Since the overall shape was developed from the local planning guidelines, the linear distribution of units and the views and sun directions, it is a resultant of the constant negotiations among all these parameters as well as a topological answer to the picturesque typologies frequently built in the area. From applying the logic of topographical mapping ie. the indexing of horizontal sections as continuous lines, the volume is formed as a series of strata that as an artificial entity maintains a dialogue with its natural environment. In addition these horizontal sections operate as control lines, enabling the generation of curved hyperbolic-parabolic geometry.
The bands surround the volume at different scales, peeling off from it, flowing into the landscape and blurring the boundaries of the building.
The balconies become in-between zones that negotiate the internal rationale of the appartments ruled by efficiency and the repetition of parts with the exterior as extension of the topography.

The geometry of the timber sticks form a virtual volume that connects the building with the landscape

All South facing rooms expand to the outside with generous openings. The balconies with timber screens act as a second skin in providing privacy, shade and shelter