Three Italian hotel projects by Bettiol Architecture
Bettiol Architecture highlight three of their projects in Italy. Grand Hotel Cervino, Cervinia; Hotel Principe delle Nevi, Breuil-Cervinia and Chalet Il Gufo, Valtournenche.
Grand Hotel Cervino, Cervinia, Italy – pictured above and below.
A five-star hotel with an extraordinary continuity between the interior and exterior spaces: “This concept – architect Mariapia Bettiol di Aosta says – was one of the starting points of the project, fundamental, which we thought about from the beginning”.
Hotel Principe delle Nevi, Breuil-Cervinia, Italy.
A linear but sophisticated style and attention to detail; to redefine the concept of hospitality by offering modern, chic and contemporary Italian design in Cervinia, in a mountainous environment but with a classic chalet touch.
Chalet Il Gufo, Valtournenche, Italy.
A luxurious chalet located in the famous and refined mountain resort of Cervinia, a project by Bettiol Architecture of Aosta City and realized by the Interior contractor Concreta, have recently been completed.
Grand Hotel Cervino, Cervinia, Italy
The Grand Hotel Cervino is a five-star hotel with an extraordinary continuity between the interior and exterior spaces: “This concept – architect Mariapia Bettiol di Aosta says – was one of the starting points of the project, fundamental, which we thought about from the beginning”.
The architect worked on a particular area, narrow and long, with a constraint regarding the body of the building and proposed to realize a structure that would take advantage of the view of nature both in front and behind with the impressive and spectacular presence of Matterhorn. The objective was to create simple volumes from a large starting volume that was split into smaller parts to recreate the idea of a mountain village.
Indeed, this structure is reminiscent of the neighboring village, a very traditional complex whose original forms it takes, while gracefully modernizing it. The three bodies into which the original structure is divided rest on the basement foundation of what was a large garage that goes right into the mountain, causing nature to envelop the three volumes that rely on the stone foundation.
The new structures resting on the basement complement the nearby pre-existing structures with a special added value determined by the view of a golf course and, of course, the Matterhorn pyramid. And it is precisely the Matterhorn that, in the suites, is framed by the windows as a real and changing picture in the hours of the day. This immersion in mountainous nature is also accentuated by exterior cavities that create crystal pools used as winter gardens, visible from the inside, which still bring natural light into the building, detracting from the important ground-level footprint of the basement areas, generating, moreover, a surprise effect that guests do not expect.
The pre-existing building was a rather dilapidated and water-logged garage, so it was demolished entirely, while a spring was carefully tapped and reused within the building itself.
Another key aspect of the design is the fact that the building was to be ready in about nine months, although the incidence of Covid led to almost four months over the deadline from start to finish, so everything was designed to be done quickly with closure of the work as soon as possible. The idea of replicating these bodies, separating them, also stemmed from the need to finish all the work in a short time.
Cement was used only for the basement floors while from the ground floor to the top X-Lam was used, in collaboration with Wood-Beton. There was a great deal of design work by all those involved, coordinated by general contractor ViCO: suffice it to say that the bathrooms were built as individual units and inserted into the structure already furnished during the assembly of the individual floors.
In this hotel the presence of the mountains is very strong on the outside and it was not intended to replicate it unconditionally on the inside, certainly in the rooms there is a hint of the mountains but in the common areas and, in particular, in the wellness areas a very modern cut and character prevail, thanks also to the large glassed-in spaces, which allow the mountain panorama to enter scenically from the outside.
Concreta’s collaboration was expressed in the interior part through a strong combination of architecture, client (ViCO enterprise and Mythos Group) and project, making a successful synthesis between the objectives of the different stakeholders.
The sixty rooms are compact in size, with a strong rationalization of furnishings that allow them to fully experience the required functionality, and in this, Concreta provided valuable cues to achieve this goal. In the furnishing of the rooms, wood was played with in combination with stone materials. “The presence of wood, confirms architect Bettiol, in the mountains is essential to create and preserve an impression of warmth with a traditional and modern mountain slant.”
In the four suites, the sitting area was created in one module, adapting the bed area to the new dimension of the space. Different is the case with the four spa suites, where the goal was to create a space of extreme quality that maximizes its comfort.
The bathrooms feature Florim tiles in different declinations and create a feeling of well-being and cleanliness. The wellness space is a real piece of bravura created by the architect, who continues the fil-rouge of marble as a sign of luxury by integrating it in the sauna with wood: “The idea is that of the jewel, explains architect Bettiol, that is, to embellish the object that could have been rustic with luxurious and valuable materials. This path can be found in the pool space where a play of mirrors and the double height of the room that interpenetrates into the restaurant create plays of light with the feeling that the space is lost to the eye.”
The restaurant space re-proposes the dialectic of the exaltation of light and space with the only exception designed for those who love the concept of the mountain stube, a small room that overlooks the forest and is clad in wood and intimacy detaching itself from the other common rooms marked by modernity, In the small room, wooden beams provided by Concreta are used with an effect wave pattern, which moves the lights and shadows of the room.
The outdoor spaces are developed on both the front and the back, but it is the large terraces present to the right and left of the restaurant that are highly experienced, while the green areas allow-from the ground floor-to return externally to the first basement level of the parking lot, with direct external access to the reception and restaurant.
Hotel Principe delle Nevi, Breuil-Cervinia, Italy
Situated in a privileged position on the Alpe Giomein within the mountain resort of Breuil-Cervinia in the middle of the ski slopes, the Hotel Principe delle Nevi was designed by Bettiol Architecture Studio of Aosta. It was built in two distinct stages, crowning a collaboration that began in 2008 between the client – the McNeill family, and Bettiol Architecture.
Two architectural interventions and two identities that gave birth to an original and contemporary structure characterised by a well-defined concept: to offer guests a unique holiday experience, with a linear but sophisticated style and attention to detail; to redefine the concept of hospitality by offering modern, chic and contemporary Italian design in Cervinia, in a mountainous environment but with a classic chalet touch.
The first phase of construction of the Principe delle Nevi Hotel dates back to 2008. It has recently continued with a second phase and the construction of an ex-novo structure consisting of the extension of the existing one – a project with a visionary design that anticipates current trends in hospitality for a more digital, international and dynamic clientele. The firm, coordinated by the architect Mariapia Bettiol, has been entrusted with the architectural and interior design project of this new space with the aim of expressing all the creativity and interpreting the client’s needs in order to develop environments that would represent a modern boutique hotel characterised by a warm soul and a welcoming atmosphere.
The two structures of the Hotel Principe delle Nevi are connected by an underground tunnel of approximately 80 metres in length that crosses the mountain and encloses the hotel. This tunnel has been transformed into an exhibition gallery – a wine cellar where wine can be stored and displayed for tastings, a tribute to the breathtaking panoramas of Italy and its wines, giving the tunnel a clear identity, which goes beyond the logistical and functional characteristics of the connection between the two hotel spaces.
The new accommodation is characterised by exclusive spaces with a high level of comfort and a large surface area. Guests are welcomed in the basement by a second reception area. On the same floor there is a multi-purpose room for fitness and yoga, characterised by slits of light that create a mirrored space, and an area for luggage storage and the ski room, in addition to the one already present in the original structure.
The new extension covers a very large area divided into several floors, with a total of 7 suites on the first floor, 4 suites on the second floor ranging in size from about 40 to 75 square metres, and 1 suite of approximately 200 square metres on the top floor, with a kitchen, a living room, a dining room, bedrooms and a mezzanine – a true modern luxury flat. On the second floor there is also a terrace with a solarium function, which can be used by all guests.
The rooms have been studied and created with a strong design personality and equipped with everything necessary for comfort. The rooms communicate with each other through doors concealed by elegant and aesthetically discreet sliding mirrors. Their function is to connect but also to divide, in order to give the client freedom to enlarge or not the spaces and to guarantee total privacy for separate reservations.
The private spa suites are a new feature added to each room. They consist of a sauna or Turkish bath and a Jacuzzi located outside on the private terrace, offering guests a moment of complete relaxation in complete privacy and with a view on the ski slopes. The private in-room spa suites offer all the services of a spa combined with the comfort of a suite. A spacious lounge completes the spaces of the new suites. The bathroom area has been designed to create an open and harmonious space.
Architect Mariapia Bettiol’s work also included the former common areas, to accommodate a larger number of guests, and the Snowflake restaurant, with its refined and exclusive design, bringing guests into a comfortable environment for a quality dining experience.
The furnishings, designed by the architect Bettiol, were provided by the interior contractor Concreta, which specialises in the design, production and supply of customised, made-to-measure furniture. The choice of materials was based on the use of wood and stoneware, which gives the structure a modern and elegant look. Every element and furnishing accessory were chosen in a synergic relationship with the client and customised to their requirements.
For the external parts of the structure, the material chosen is larch wood in large format with a sheet metal roof. The idea was to create a non-invasive building that would blend in perfectly with its surroundings. The use of rocks in the lower part emphasises the profound relationship between the structure and the place where it is located, to give the feeling that the building was born from the mountain itself: recalling the mountains, following the slope and continuing the play with the ground, giving the building the same angular lines as the mountain. The basement of the building was therefore covered with rocks, between which the natural greenery typical of the Cervinia area was born, thus creating vertical green play on the rocks.
Chalet Il Gufo, Valtournenche, Italy
The works of the Chalet Il Gufo, a project by Bettiol Architecture of Aosta City and realized by the Interior contractor Concreta, have recently been completed. The result is a luxurious chalet located in the famous and refined mountain resort of Cervinia.
With a purely international clientele, Bettiol Architecture studio specializes in architecture services, consulting, creative direction, and technical direction for luxury projects, focusing on buildings dedicated to hospitality, exclusive villas, and chalets.
The Chalet Il Gufo is a completely new structure born from the will of the client, synonymous with refinement and elegance in the quality of the materials used, for a higher level of comfort. The client’s vision was to establish an accommodation facility that created the feeling of being in a private residence and could at the same time be functional to accommodate guests with entertainment areas, such as the gaming room and relax areas, the spa and the swimming pool.
STRUCTURE AND ROOMS
The Chalet spread over four levels including the basement; here we find the indoor pool area with the SPA complete with an emotional shower and a Turkish bath. This space is separated from the other rooms by a glass door. In the basement there is also the gaming room, with bar area and bathroom, cinema area and ski room for ski storage, with direct access from the ski slope SKI-IN SKI-OUT, which is characterized by the presence of full-wall cabinets and a carbon grey wooden bench located in the center of the room. A special feature of the gaming room is the presence of a hidden door, designed to resemble an old advertising poster. In front of the SPA, an outdoor terrace welcomes an additional lounge area next to the ski slope overlooking Cervino where there is a hot tub and a relax area with a brazier.
The ground floor houses the convivial rooms and communicates with an outdoor area where there is a sitting area to enjoy the beauty of the stream that runs parallel to the property and the forest that surrounds it. Guests are welcomed from the entrance of the Chalet in a warm environment with a cozy atmosphere. Every detail is meticulously looked after, from the choice of furniture, to furnishing accessories and finishes, custom designed to enhance the well-being of the user.
The project entrusted to Concreta involved the company in all the stages of construction of the Chalet with custom-made elements.
The Chalet Il Gufo is characterized by its unique style, partly Nordic, which is expressed with shades of gray and shades of dark colors.
While natural wood remains a primary material used in its classic form tipically found in the mountain private residences, it has been processed and treated to achieve certain colors.
The floors and stairs are made of oak with smoked finish, while the coverings of beams and part of the furniture are made of fire wood, with a specific finish called carbon grey.
The living area is divided in a dining area and a lounge space. The special feature of the living room is the centrality of the fireplace that creates a mood and makes the environment warm and welcoming. The dining area is dominated by a table enhanced by a suspended lighting system that combines functionality, lighting the environment, with aesthetics, in a decorative vision.
The kitchen boasts a prominent central element – an intricately designed island. The wall units are made with an ad hoc lacquering, while the walls are covered with decorative tiles that recall the old Italian style.
On the first floor of the chalet there are four rooms for guests of the structure and a mezzanine open to the living room below. This last one is used as a lounge area, where the bar is the protagonist accompanied by a seating area with wooden chairs and tables. A glass parapet illuminates the mezzanine and allows you to look at the living area below.
The guest rooms include 4 double rooms with private bathroom including two double bedrooms and two twin bedrooms. One of the characteristics of this work, by the will of the property, is that each room is completely different from each other in terms of layout, materials and sensations it transmits.
The top floor houses the master bedroom and the children’s room. Upon arriving on the landing, you are in front of an alcove, carved into a wooden niche, in front of a window that allows not only to illuminate the floor, but to enjoy the external view of the Cervino that characterizes the structure.
Also, on this floor the rooms are all unique, studied in detail, embellished by the exposed wooden attic that offers a unique height.
The mix of wall coverings are characteristic of the master bedroom, where wood frames the imposing head bed wall covered with a full height padding that makes the environment special and unique. Inside there is also a walk-in closet that communicates through a frosted glass with the master bathroom, which also provides natural light in this area, and the private bathroom with classic and retro notes, where there are both a bathtub and a shower.
The children’s room has been designed to be multidimensional in the name of leisure. In addition to the bunk beds you can play on a climbing wall and get to the “den”, a secret mezzanine above the entrance to the room.
The Chalet Il Gufo is the result of a work in synergy between the design phase of Bettiol Architecture Studio and the realization of the interior contractor Concreta that has guaranteed the construction of the luxurious Chalet of Cervinia, providing a reading key capable of responding to the Client’s requests and expectations.