The Icaro Hotel is a unique architectural work located on the slopes of the Dolomites, which combines art, design and tradition. Originally a modest mountain cabin, it has been completely transformed by MoDusArchitects into a luxury hotel with an imposing loggia of wooden columns.
Located at the foot of the majestic Dolomites, surrounded by a tangle of ski slopes and mountain paths, the Icaro Hotel is an extraordinary testimony to how art, design and architecture can merge into a single hospitality experience. This architectural jewel, the result of the creative vision of MoDusArchitects, stands as a wooden volume with clean and geometric shapes that integrates harmoniously with the surrounding Alpine landscape.
The Icaro Hotel, located 1.900 meters above sea level on the Alpe di Siusi, part of the UNESCO natural heritage of the Dolomites, has a rich and fascinating history. Originally a modest mountain cabin from the XNUMXs, it was completely transformed thanks to the vision of Angelika Sattler, granddaughter of the founder of the Icaro refuge. The renovation interventions were numerous, including the expansion of the underground car park, the construction of a staff building, a new wing with eight rooms and the reorganization of the common spaces, including a wellness area with swimming pool. But what is most striking is the imposing loggia of wooden columns that extends over the main facade, creating a visual union with the surrounding landscape.
The architecture of the Icaro Hotel is an example of harmonious integration between the old and the new. In plan, the eastward extension follows the footprint of the existing west wing, creating a thoughtful symmetry between the parts. On the façade, the sawtooth larch cladding and the wooden colonnade with the large pitched roof unify the previous interventions into a unitary architectural body. The southern façade, 55 meters long, is characterized by 13 wooden trestle pillars 7,5 meters high which branch out onto the two upper floors and frame the rooms with panoramic views. A terrace on the first floor connects the two ends of the building, creating a spacious double-height loggia that faces outwards.
The hall occupies the entire ground floor and is a succession of common areas: entrance, reception, shop, lounge, bar and restaurant, which encourage lively interactions between guests and visitors. The interior design of the Icaro Hotel is eclectic, with a mix of materials, textures and furnishings that revolutionize the concept of Alpine style. The wooden alcoves with fabric-covered sofas recall the atmosphere of classic Alpine refuges, while the gray marble monoliths of the bar and buffet counter highlight contemporary gastronomic research. The stube, the traditional living room of Alpine houses, has been reinvented with acoustic felt panels decorated in yellow. The woven oak plank floor connects the two opposite corners of the hotel in a balance between tradition and modernity.
The Icaro Hotel is also a place where history, family heirlooms, works of art and local craftsmanship come together in a unique experience. The reception, shop and lounge area are characterized by majestic oak paneling and Persian blue lacquered recesses that house a collection of curious objects. This variety of people, stuffed animals, books and unusual objects evokes the folklore of the Alp. The attention to detail is also reflected in the art exhibitions organized by artist Hubert Kostner, who invited other local artists to exhibit their works in the context of the hotel.
The rooms of the Icaro Hotel, located on the upper floors, are an example of a combination of comfort and landscape. The Monocular and Telescope rooms offer visual intimacy with the surrounding landscape, thanks to the elm walls and glass walls. The Lux and Grandangolo rooms, however, can accommodate up to four people and offer custom-made beds and spectacular views of the Alpe di Siusi. The second floor features various suites, including a massage area with a covered terrace for practicing yoga.
The basement floor houses the indoor swimming pool, which makes the most of the view of the Sciliar Massif thanks to a new geometry and a covering in shiny mosaic tiles. A portion of the relaxation area has been redesigned to offer a more intimate experience to guests. Art is once again present with Hubert Kostner's melted wax “tears” in the cast-in-place concrete wall, which represent a reinterpretation of the mythological story of Icarus.
Furthermore, in the basement, there are services and support functions for guests, including ski rooms and e-bike charging stations. An underground car park frees the arrival area from cars, preserving the panoramic view of the building.
project info
PROJECT: Icaro Hotel
STREET ADDRESS: Piz 18/1, Alpe di Siusi, Castelrotto (Bolzano, Italy)
ARCHITECTS: MoDusArchitects (Sandy Attia, Matteo Scagnol)
PROJECT TEAM: Sandy Attia, Matteo Scagnol, Filippo Pesavento
CLIENT: Angelika Sattler
COMPETITION: 2018
DESIGN PHASE: 2018 - 2020
CONSTRUCTION PHASE 1: 2020 (staff accommodation, swimming pool, underground parking)
CONSTRUCTION PHASE 2: 2021 (East wing with 8 rooms, ground floor, new roof and facade)
COMPLETION: August 2021
PROJECT AREA: Total hotel (5.040 m1.360); total expansion (basement 550 mXNUMX, upper floors XNUMX mXNUMX)
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING: Engineer Ulrich Kauer (KS Engineering)
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING: Eng. Kurt Tröbinger (KTB Engineering)
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING: Eng. Mirko Beikircher (KTB Engineering)
SAFETY: Engineer Ulrich Kauer (KS Engineering)
LIGHTING CONSULTANT: Lichtstudio Eisenkeil
COST AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT: HGV – Unternehmensberatung
GRAPH: Camuffolab, Venice
HOTEL COMMUNICATION STRATEGY: Anna Quinz and Kunigunde Weissenegger franzLAB, Bolzano
MANUFACTURING COMPANY: Mahlknechtbau AB GmbH
EARTH MOVEMENTS: Kritzinger Srl
HYDRAULIC AND MECHANICAL SYSTEMS: Mulser Karl
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Elektro Nicolussi KG
PROVIDERS
Plumbing and coverings: Spenglerei Messner KG
Blacksmith: Frener Paul Stahlbau
Resin flooring (kitchen): Debowa KG
Plaster and paint: Maler Kritzinger GmbH
Resin finishes (bathrooms, bedrooms) and interiors: Moling Srl
Wooden flooring: Simonazzi GmbH
Masonry: Nikolaus Bagnara Spa
Tile flooring, mosaic: Fliesenservice KG
Linoleum flooring and carpet: Simonazzi GmbH
Wooden windows: Tip Top Fenster GmbH
Metal windows: Metek GmbH
Automatic doors: Metek GmbH
Internal doors: Rubner Türen
Wood carpentry: Ludwig Rabanser SAS & CO
Custom-made furniture: Tischlerei Malfertheiner OHG
Custom-made furniture (rooms): Tischlerei Malfertheiner OHG – Poltrona Frau Spa
Furniture: Trias OHG – Firma Sedis GmbH
Upholstery and window coverings: Firma Sedis GmbH
Kitchen and bar equipment: Winkler Gastro Solution
Audio-video equipment: Elektro Nicolussi KG
Lighting: XAL Lights (lower level), Lichtstudio Eisenkeil GmbH
FURNITURE AND MATERIALS: See image captions
PHOTOGRAPHER: ©Gustav Willeit
STYLIST: Anna Quinz
