zaha hadid embeds museum for reinhold messner within alpine summit

located the summit plateau of plan de corones in the italian alps, the sixth and final museum dedicated to the career of reinhold messner has been been completed by zaha hadid architects. named messner mountain museum or MMM corones, the institution, which is now open to the public, explores the discipline of mountain climbing through a unique collection of photographs and various items collected by messner during his lifetime as an explorer. messner is acclaimed for making the first ascent of mount everest without supplemental oxygen, (along with austrian mountaineer peter habeler), and for being the first climber to complete all fourteen ‘eight-thousanders’ (peaks at least 8,000 meters above sea level).

(above) the concrete structure is buried within the mountain’s summit
image © wisthaler
(main) image © san vigilio – associazione turistica

taking nearly two years to complete, the concrete structure is buried within the mountain’s summit. a singular entrance leads guests inside underground gallery spaces, before three volumes protrude at the rear of the design, offering impressive views over the alpine landscape. internally, reinhold messner was given free reign to design the museum spaces, explaining: ‘at the MMM corones, I recount the history and development of modern mountain climbing, from the equipment and its transformation over the last 250 years, to the triumphs and tragedies of the world’s most famous mountains — the matterhorn, cerro torre, K2. it is unbelievably exciting to tell stories from a stage of this magnitude.’

the institution, which is now open to the public, explores the discipline of mountain climbing
image © wisthaler

systems of cascading staircases characterize the interiors and create dynamic volumes of circulation throughout three levels of temporary exhibition space, themed presentations, and a small auditorium. glazed apertures are oriented so that interiors are predominantly sunlit while still welcoming the presence of the rocky and bucolic surroundings. in addition, the total immersion of the built form into the mountain allows the museum to maintain an almost constant internal temperature.

see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

three volumes protrude at the rear of the design
image © messner mountain museum / MMM corones

impressive views are offered over the alpine landscape
image © messner mountain museum/ MMM corones

image © messner mountain museum / MMM corones

the singular entrance leads guests inside underground gallery spaces
image © MMM corones

impressive views over the the mountains
image © MMM corones

internally, reinhold messner was given free reign to design the exhibition layout
image © wisthaler

the immersion of the built form into the mountain allows the museum to maintain a constant temperature
image © wisthaler

systems of cascading staircases characterize the project’s interiors
image © wisthaler

hadid’s signature fluid forms are found throughout the design
image © wisthaler

various items collected by messner during his lifetime as an explorer are presented
image © wisthaler

image © MMM corones

image © MMM corones

the dramatic unveiling of the museum, which took almost two years to complete
image © wisthaler

a huge crowd gathered for the opening of the institution
image © wisthaler