South Tyrolean architecture

Wednesday 31 August 2011

Photography by Luke Tebbutt
During a recent trip to South Tyrol, WGSN-homebuildlife was fascinated to see how contemporary architecture was being integrated into a traditional setting.


South Tyrol is a design-conscious region, but with strict planning restrictions. To get around these restrictions, contemporary builds are integrated with existing buildings and traditional Alpine architecture (and interiors). Here are some of the most interesting examples we came across.


This vineyard, featuring a green net-like structure on its exterior, is designed to be noticed, but takes inspiration from the organic surroundings of the local area.


And others used black cladding, transparency or natural materials such as timber to create buildings that are contemporary, but visually unobtrusive.