Deluxe Mountain Chalets Designed by Viereck Architekten

Set within the scenic mountain panorama of Upper Styria, Austria, the ‘Deluxe Mountain Chalets’ designed by Austrian architectural practice Viereck Architekten serve as an extension to the numerously awarded high-end restaurant ‘wirtshaus steirereck’. The project aims to capture fantastic views across the valley — the chalets are placed on top of the mountain crest in order to provide 360 degrees views.

The ambition was to capture fantastic views across the valley, so the owners together with the architects decided to place the chalets on top of the mountain crest in order to provide 360 degrees views. Due to the existing forest along the crest, the architects derived their concept from bird nests and developed it into chalets which are floating above the landscape.

Due to the existing forest along the crest, Viereck’s concept was inspired by a bird’s nest and developed it into chalets which are floating above the landscape. Each chalet provides parking lots, gently integrated into the existing landscape underneath the buildings.

The façade and even all window frames were manufactured with local larch wood, while the interior applications were recycled from parlors of old farmhouses.

Apart from using natural materials, a further benchmark in sustainability was achieved by making use of geothermal energy. Heat pumps deliver natural soil heat from 160m deep boreholes to the surface and serve into floor- and wall heating systems.

Apart from using natural materials, the architects achieved a further benchmark in sustainability making use of geothermal energy. Heat pumps deliver natural soil heat from 160 meters deep boreholes to the surface and serve on the floor – and wall heating systems.