Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido

noa* network of architecture redesigned the Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido in Casteldarne by adding a large wave structure that covers new and existing buildings and blends in with the Alpine landscape to create a playground for children and a relaxing space for parents.

Firm
  • area / size 64,583 sqft
  • Year 2021
  • Location Casteldarne, Italy,
  • Type Restaurant,
  • A historic family hotel in the Pustertal valley has been extended and redesigned by studio noa*. The new wave deck embeds it into the landscape and makes it a place for sports and entertainment. Where you can ski, skate or walk in the middle of the Alpine nature.

    A highly successful hotel has to be renovated without losing its identity, but rather strengthening it in terms of aesthetics, sustainability and services. This is the issue addressed by studio noa* in the redesign of the Falkensteiner Family Resort Lido in Casteldarne, in the Pustertal valley.

    It is a historic hotel, the first to be opened by the Falkensteiner family, which today runs a group of more than 30 hospitality properties across 6 countries. Established in 1957 on the edge of the village on the shores of a small lake, the family resort has gradually expanded to cater for a clearly defined target group, that of families with children. 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.

    The solution proposed by noa*, commissioned to design the new structure, surprisingly started with the roof: the traditional gable roof of the old hotel complex was replaced by a large wave structure that covers new and existing buildings, sloping down on both sides until it disappears into the ground. It is a kind of hill that blends in with the landscape by covering itself with vegetation, and that transforms into a ski slope, skating rink, playground, adventure park, leisure and recreation area.

    Playing on the Roof
    The roof designed by noa* spans 300 metres in length over an area of 4,900 square metres and reaches a height of 18 metres at its centre. It is a highly innovative element in terms of shape, size and materials used. The structure was made of reinforced concrete in the newly built part, while a system of steel beams and wood was used in the parts where it rests on the existing building. It is clad with metal shingles that, like a second skin, perfectly follow the curves and undulations of the roof.

    A New Aesthetic
    In addition to the choice of a single colour for all the wall structures, the use of geometric patterns in natural wood that give rhythm to the building, evoking the aesthetic of old alpine barns, should also be highlighted.

    The relationship between the resort and the small lake it overlooks has also been ‘redesigned’, with the creation of an artificial hill along one bank, under which the adults’ spa is located. A large new terrace opens out 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 Play for the Interior
    The noa* team has designed the resort’s interior, both new and existing parts, which have been newly styled and, in some cases, expanded. 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 a variety of different shaped stations in the form of small houses or wooden trolleys on wheels. Different heights allow children to access them and wide visibility of the kitchen areas and thus of the food being prepared.

    The entrance and reception area of the hotel retain their original layout but are given a new look. Here, the presence of numerous pillars inspired a new design language characterised by round shapes, bright colours and decorations referencing the flora and fauna of the forest. Finally, a cosy space with swings and merry-go-rounds for the little ones is flanked by a lounge for parents.

    A Nest in the Room
    The noa* project also added 36 new rooms to the existing 82. It was an opportunity to define a new room type that, in its different variations, characterises the resort’s offer for families. The rooms include an area for parents and an area for children, which are separated by a sliding partition, and a large bathroom with washbasins at different heights.

    Design: noa* network of architecture
    Photography: Alex Filz