Franco Albini, Rifugio Pirovano, Breuil-Cervinia, Valle d’Aosta (Italy), 1949

The Hostel is carried by very large pillars, which characterize the graphical roots of the environment. The overall style of the building is a reference to the vernacular style of Valle d’Aosta: the hostel is built with local materials such as wood and stone. The tripartition marked by the high columns provides a strong freedom in design. Franco Albini successfully translated this freedom into a solution with an outspoken modern look due to the large balconies on various levels and a horizontal play of windows.

The building is situated on a sloping terrain, therefore the first three floors are partially buried under the ground and are built out of masonry stones. The structure on the side towards the valley consists of conical pillars also made of stone masonry. The third floor and the attic are entirely above the ground. They are built with a system of larch planks which are interlocking and filled with glass wool. The upper part is built out of wood and looks like ‘mushrooms’ on top of the building.

Images:

References:

I pilastri della roccia nell’albergo Pirovano di Cervinia at Dibaio.com

Annette Tosto at Fondazione Franco Albini

Franco Albini: Albergo rifugio Pirovano a Cervinia

Suspending Modernity: The Architecture of Franco Albini (Ashgate Studies in Architecture)

Pride in Modesty: Modernist Architecture and the Vernacular Tradition in Italy