corten steel tubes lined with spruce plywood ribs form alpine learning burrow by officina 82

tana delle marmotte inserts three prefabricated corten steel tubes lined with contoured spruce plywood ribs into the alpine terrain at monte bianco to create a reversible subterranean learning space.

Officina82 edited by christina vergopoulou October 22, 2026 4 min

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CORTEN STEEL CONDUITS FRAME REVERSIBLE UNDERGROUND structure

Positioned at an altitude of 2,173 meters at the Pavillon intermediate station of the Skyway Monte Bianco cableway in Aosta Valley, Italy, Tana delle Marmotte (Marmot Den) is a permanent underground educational installation designed by architecture practice Officina 82. Conceived as an experiential learning environment for children and teenagers, the project combines play with environmental education by translating the subterranean habitat of Alpine marmots into a modular architecture integrated directly into the mountain landscape.

corten steel tubes lined with spruce plywood ribs form alpine learning burrow by officina 82 - 1 — all images ©Giulia Sarno

SPRUCE RIBS FORM MODULAR TUNNEL INSPIRED BY MARMOT BURROWS

The pavilion’s primary structural shell consists of three prefabricated Corten steel conduits: an 8-meter-long central tube paired with two transverse access pipes measuring 2,200 mm and 1,300 mm in diameter. To preserve the high-altitude ecosystem, the structure by studio Officina 82 rests on a bed of fine gravel without permanent concrete foundations, ensuring complete structural reversibility. The Corten components were manufactured off-site with flanged connections, weight-calibrated for helicopter delivery, and dry-assembled on-site to minimize environmental disruption and eliminate the need for an extended construction footprint at altitude.

corten steel tubes lined with spruce plywood ribs form alpine learning burrow by officina 82 - 2 — Tana delle Marmotte is a permanent subterranean installation designed by Italian studio Officina 82

Dry assembly reduces construction time and minimizes disruption

Inside, the fit-out is lined with 40 mm thick, three-ply spruce plywood ribs anchored to perimeter timber rings that mirror the circular steel profile. Infilled with tongue-and-groove spruce boarding, these custom-contoured ribs form a continuous, fluid spatial volume inspired by the winter hibernation tunnels dug by marmots. The timber surfaces integrate multiple functions, serving as ergonomic seating, display cases, graphics mounts, and a carved staircase that leads to a transparent acrylic porthole where visitors can look out over the surrounding terrain. Overhead LED strips trace the curved interior profile to guide visitors along the educational route.

corten steel tubes lined with spruce plywood ribs form alpine learning burrow by officina 82 - 3 — the interior fit-out is constructed entirely from three-ply, 40 mm thick spruce plywood panels

corten steel tubes lined with spruce plywood ribs form alpine learning burrow by officina 82 - 4 — contoured timber ribs replicate the organic geometry of natural marmot burrows

officina-82-tana-delle-marmotte-corten-steel-tubes-plywood-ribs-subterranean-learning-space-designboom-1800-2 — the shaped timber surfaces integrate built-in benches, exhibition shelves, and display cases

corten steel tubes lined with spruce plywood ribs form alpine learning burrow by officina 82 - 5 — a clear acrylic porthole allows visitors to look out over the surrounding Alpine terrain

corten steel tubes lined with spruce plywood ribs form alpine learning burrow by officina 82 - 6 — the porthole also serves as a skylight, bringing natural light into the interior

corten steel tubes lined with spruce plywood ribs form alpine learning burrow by officina 82 - 7 — recyclable materials, including steel, Corten, and timber, were specified throughout the intervention

officina-82-tana-delle-marmotte-corten-steel-tubes-plywood-ribs-subterranean-learning-space-designboom-1800-3 — three Corten steel conduits form the primary structural shell of the underground intervention

corten steel tubes lined with spruce plywood ribs form alpine learning burrow by officina 82 - 8 — the project is located at an altitude of 2,173 meters at the Pavillon station of Skyway Monte Bianco

corten steel tubes lined with spruce plywood ribs form alpine learning burrow by officina 82 - 9 — the clear acrylic porthole emerges from the Alpine terrain

the Corten steel conduits being positioned on site, with the Pavillon station of Skyway Monte Bianco behind the three Corten steel conduits laid on the gravel bed timber ribs anchored to perimeter rings inside the main Corten steel conduit during assembly

project info:

name: Tana delle Marmotte

architect: Officina82 | @officina82
lead designers: Fabio Revetria, Lara Sappa

collaborators: Arianna Garelli, Lucrezia Nari, Simone Bianchi

structural design: IngeMBP – Corrado Curti

geologist: Paolo Zamparutti

metalwork: Nuova Sicmi

interior design: Studio Arredi

MEP engineering: CED Impianti Group

permits and approvals: IdeaLAB

general coordination: Giulia Sarno

client: Skyway Monte Bianco

photographer: Giulia Sarno | @giuliassarno

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