noa* uplifts historical family resort in the italian alps with playful mega-roofscape

falkensteiner family resort lido gets a new look by noa*

noa* (network of architecture) brings new entertainment and aesthetics to the Pustertal valley in Italy, where the historical Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido has welcomed guests since 1957. Established at the edge of the Casteldarne village and bordering the shores of a small lake, the resort has gradually expanded with 30 hospitality properties across six countries to cater to families with children. The team at noa* was invited to extend and redesign the property without drowning out its identity; instead, the studio looked to strengthened the resort’s aesthetics, sustainability, and services. 

In response to those requests, the resulting intervention sees the drastic transformation of the roofscape, now serving as a wave deck that embeds into the landscape, offering a generous space where visitors can ski, skate, walk, and play amid the Italian Alpine nature.

all images © Alex Filz

‘The aim of the project was to add new spaces and functionalities that would reinforce this vocation, creating a kind of playground for the little guests and, at the same time, a place where parents could relax. A defining point of the project was also the beautiful Alpine surroundings, in which the hotel complex was meant to blend in harmoniously,‘ writes the studio. 

a playful roofscape weaving into the alpine nature

The solution proposed by noa*surprisingly started with the roof: the Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido’s traditional gable top was replaced by a large, undulating structure that covers new and existing buildings. Shaped like a hill, the new roofscape slopes down on both sides until it disappears into the ground, blending in with the landscape thanks to its green-covered surface. Along the way, the volume slowly morphs into a ski slope, skating rink, playground, adventure park, leisure, and recreation area.

‘We wanted to bring together the old and the new into a uniform whole,’ explains architect Andreas Profanter. ‘The new roof allowed us to connect the various buildings in the complex and link them with the surrounding nature. But it also allowed us to invent new spaces, such as the ski slope, which enrich what we can offer to families.’

Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido nestles in the Alpine landscape

The roof spans 300 meters over an area of 4,900 sqm and reaches a height of 18 meters at its center. noa* used reinforced concrete for the newly built part and a steel beam and wood system for where the roof rests on the existing building. The structure was then clad in metal shingles that, like a second skin, perfectly followed the roof’s curves and undulations.

On this spacious roof, traversed by a loop trail where guests can enjoy a pleasant walk, sits a recreational park offering various stations for sports and entertainment. One of the two slopes, the one to the east, is partly occupied by a 163-meter-long ski slope with a carpet lift. While open to all resort guests, it is particularly suitable for children who can learn to ski with the help of an instructor without leaving the hotel.

Moreover, the artificial bottom allows year-round use, as is also the case with the skating rink located at the highest point of the deck. On the other side, facing west, noa* featured a large fitness area, a bobby car track, and an elevated mini adventure park, which nestles a field for football, basketball, and other activities. Here, a 120-meter-long water slide winds its way over the lake to an area underground occupied by different play zones and the swimming pool. The slide stands out against the landscape with its bright yellow spirals and becomes the symbol of a place dedicated to the recreation and adventure of its young guests in every way.

Throughout the entire complex, recreational spaces are interspersed with green areas that create continuity with the forests in the valley. ‘We literally brought nature up to the roof,’ Profanter remarks. ‘The aim was to strengthen the link between the building and the landscape, without taking up any more land, but rather by creating added value anda new way of thinking about sustainability.’

a large, undulating volume replaces the traditional gable roof

revamping the aesthetic of Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido 

‘Our idea was also to revamp the look of the original building,’ adds architect Wolfgang Heinz. ‘We, therefore, did not just enclose the new and existing parts of the resort under one roof, but we also worked on the façades to make the different architectural elements consistent with one another.‘ This consistency is reinforced by using a single color coating all wall structures and geometric patterns in natural wood to give rhythm to the building, evoking the aesthetic of old Alpine barns.

The relationship between the resort and the small lake it overlooks has also been ‘redesigned’, creating an artificial hill along one bank, under which the adults’ spa is located. In addition, a large new terrace opens onto the lakefront and the partially covered swimming pool, which overflows onto the water mirror, giving guests the sensation of being authentically immersed in nature.

NATURE AND child-friendly PLAY FOR THE INTERIORs

The noa* team extended their vision to the interiors of Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido, both new and existing parts, which have been newly styled and, in some cases, expanded. ‘As with the exteriors, the interior design was steered on the one hand by the aim of creating a playful, child-friendly atmosphere, and on the other hand by a reference to the natural environment surrounding the resort,’ clarifies interior designer Barbara Runggatscher. 

‘The décor changes on each level: from the forest-inspired motifs of the innermost area to the lily pad-shaped seating in the middle area, and the reeds recalled by the particular shape of the lamps that illuminate the tables near the terrace.’

The restaurant, which has been extended to include a terrace and a play area for children, has been distributed across three levels to allow all diners to enjoy the view of the lake. In the newly created buffet area, on the other hand, a lively market atmosphere has been recreated with various different-shaped stations in the form of tiny houses or wooden trolleys on wheels. Different heights allow children to access them and offer wide visibility of the kitchen areas and, thus, the food being prepared.

Meanwhile, the entrance and reception areas retain their original layout while sporting an uplifted look. Here, numerous pillars inspired a new design language characterized by round shapes, bright colors, and decorations referencing flora and fauna of the forest. Finally, a cozy space with swings and merry-go-rounds for the little ones is flanked by a lounge for parents.

reimagining new room types

Moving to the more private area of Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido, noa* added 36 new rooms to the existing 82. According to the studio, this intervention was an opportunity to define a new room type that, in its different variations, characterizes the resort’s offer for families. The rooms include an area for parents and one for children, separated by a sliding partition and a large bathroom with washbasins at different heights.

‘In the children’s area, there are always three beds available, one of which, suspended from the ceiling, is a kind of nest-bed inspired by falcon, which is the symbol of the hotel. Even when it is not occupied, it is always an opportunity for the little ones to play and have fun,’ concludes interior designer Caterina Betti. 

dining area

newly styled shared spaces

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project info:

name: Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido 

location: Ehrenburg/Casteldarne, Pustertal Valley, South Tyrol, Italy

client: Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences | @falkensteiner.lido

architecture: noa* network of architecture | @networkofarchitecture

photography: Alex Filz 

site area: 29,300 sqm 

gross project area: 6,000 sqm