A view of the mountains

«In 2018, we won an invitation-only competition to design the new Hotel Milla Montis,» says architect Peter Pichler, founder and partner of PPA. «The hotel is located in Maranza, a small village in South Tyrol with a strong Alpine tradition surrounded by meadows, fields and rugged mountains.» It is a modern construction consisting of four offset volumes with a black larch cladding and large curved incisions in the façades that create a close relationship between interior and exterior, between artifice and nature. The hotel was conceived as an integral part of the surrounding landscape and was developed in constant dialogue with the natural environment. «Whenever we embark on a new project, our first step in approaching the architecture is to investigate the local tradition,» continues Peter Pichler. «Before carrying out any design work, it is important to understand and connect with the place and interact with its culture and way of life, with its needs, climate and population. In the case of Hotel Milla Montis, we designed four volumes with a horizontal layout to respect the scale of the surrounding houses.» The building is inspired by the region’s vernacular architecture but with a contemporary twist. «The pitched roof is reminiscent of mountain houses and old barns, while the curves of the loggias on the elevation recall farmers’ pitchforks.» The hotel is a model of sustainable construction with natural materials, efficient energy sources and environmentally friendly choices. «Wood is the dominant material both outdoors and indoors. It is a material we love and use frequently in our architectural projects. And given South Tyrol’s strong tradition of timber construction, we were able to maintain this style while working with highly specialised local companies. As for energy, Hotel Milla Montis has gained the highest level of CasaClima certification.» In keeping with its green concept, the project adopts environmentally sustainable materials such as the Waterfall collection slate-effect tiles from Lea Ceramiche. These 100% eco-friendly porcelain surfaces are produced exclusively from natural raw materials while all scraps and non-ceramic waste are recycled. The Dark Flow version is used for the surfaces in the bathrooms and spa areas, where they create elegant interiors with a powerful tactile sensation. The more rugged and wear-resistant 20 mm thick version of the same series was used in the outdoor areas to maintain visual unity with the structure’s essential, minimalist style.