Dietger Wissounig Architekten ZT GmbH

Voisthaler Hut

Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer

VOISTHALER HUT

Dietger Wissounig Architekten

CATEGORY
Tourism

LOCATION
Thörl, Austria

YEAR
2022

AREA
740 m²

PHOTOGRAPHS
David Schreyer

MANUFACTURERS
Binderholz, Georg Bechter Licht, Muuto, Trewit

BUILDING PHYSICS
Rosenfelder & Höfler

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Gdp Zt Gmbh

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
Pechmann Gmbh

ARCHITECTURAL SUPERVISION
Dietger Wissounig, Patrick Steiner

PROGRAM / USE / BUILDING FUNCTION
Tourism, Alpine Refuge

PROJECT COLLABORATION
Claudia Pittino, Gernot Moser, Matthias Holzner

Thörl is situated in the northern region of the Austrian province Styria, which means the area lies predominantly in a temperate climate zone.

Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer
Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer

Subsequently experiencing cold snowy winters and warm summers, which have definitely influenced the design process, construction, and details.

The surrounding region can be classified as very mountainous and is not reachable by car, but exclusively by foot.

Especially the more mountainous areas in Austria are used to a lot of snowfall during the winter, which makes this project very special.

Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer
Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer

Avalanche security measures had to be taken to ensure the visitors’ safety and access to running water as well as food and drinks were very limited.

Therefore, a reasonable connection to the regional water supply was implemented in the construction process.

Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer
Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer

For the moderately warm Austrian summers, which reach a maximum of about 30°-35°C, a large front terrace provides a nice outside space for public use.

Since the Voisthaler Hut is being used as an alpine refuge, an adequate combination of culturally significant ways of construction, as well as aesthetics and function, was essential.

Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer
Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer

The new Voisthaler Hut is situated in the high valley of Upper Dullwitz as a highly visible landmark.

As a point of orientation between Hochschwab, Wetterkogel, Karlhochkogel, and Fölzsattel, it replaces the existing hut and appears as a simple, clear volume in the high alpine terrain.

Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer
Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer

The setting in the large natural landscape is an interplay of site-specific characteristics (topography, weather sides, view), function, and form - a combination of architecture and site.

Due to the logistically challenging location, prefabricated timber construction was chosen as a sensible building form.

Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer
Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer
Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer

The formal realization of the new hut is derived both from a general attitude towards a sensitive integration of a typical (mountain) landscape and the primary requirement of its function as a shelter: respect and modesty towards the site's simplicity are thus formally carried outwards.

The exterior appearance is marked by the character of the natural wooden surface, which has an inviting effect, and promises a home atmosphere.

The facade consists of shifting timber slats that have been left untreated so that the appearance of the hut will slowly merge with its surroundings.

Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer
Voisthaler Hut
© David Schreyer

The interior is dominated by visibly left wooden surfaces of the cross-laminated timber construction and the floorboards.


Voisthaler Hut
Plan - Site
Voisthaler Hut
Plan - Ground Floor
Voisthaler Hut
Plan - 1st Floor
Voisthaler Hut
Axonometric


Voisthaler Hut
Sectiom 01
Voisthaler Hut
Sectiom 02


Voisthaler Hut
North Elevation
Voisthaler Hut
East Elevation
Voisthaler Hut
South Elevation
Voisthaler Hut
West Elevation

Dietger Wissounig Architekten ZT GmbH
T +43 316 8197900
Dietger Wissounig Architekten ZT GmbH
Schlögelgasse 9/1, 8010 Graz, Austria