bergmeisterwolf architekten builds ‘next to the chapel’

in the green hills of sterzing, italy, austrian and italian-based practice bergmeisterwolf architekten has constructed a home and sauna as two individual buildings that compliment a pre-existing chapel. embedded into a sloping topography, the structures retain their unique forms and materials while maintaining a dialogue through proximity and recurring elements in each of the buildings. the home presents a contemporary design to contrasts the church’s masonry construction.

side elevation with chapel in the background
image © wett, all images courtesy of bergmeister wolf architekten

utilizing a mixture of glass, raw steel, stone masonry and wood shingles, the residence synthesizes the vernacular of the nearby town and adjacent neighbors using traditional materials in new ways. the interior is composed of hard materials – exposed board-form concrete, steel fixtures, stone walls and rough-grain wood flooring, made cozy by the various openings, natural light and spectacular views over the valley.

green roof part of the house
image © wett

view of the house, sauna, and chapel roofs
image © wett

walkway between the house and chapel
image © wett

kitchen and dining interior
image © wett

couch and fireplace
image © mads morgensen

bedroom
image © mads morgensen

wrap-around glass provides panoramic views
image © wett

eating nook next to the kitchen
image © wett

bathroom
image © wett

bathroom
image © wett

side entrance
image © wett

sitting in the snowy landscape
image © mads morgensen

project info:

address: 39049 sterzing, italy
architecture : bergmeisterwolf architects
associate architects: edoardo de cicco , Jürgen prosch , ana soares
structural engineering: paul schmidt
art on construction: franziskaonline weinberger , lois weinberger , read Bielowski
commissioned by: kurt brunner