Messner Architects

DOLOMITES UNESCO VIEWPOINT MONTE SPECIE

The project starts in 2012 when Messner Architects and sculptor Franz Messner were commissioned by the Fondazione Dolomiti-Dolomiten-Dolomites-Dolomitis to create architectonic, landscaping and graphic standards for look-outs/info-structures in hot spot areas of the World Hertitages Site Dolomiti UNESCO in order to enhance the value and popularity of the territory. After the development of a prototype, the Department of Natural Reserves (Ripartizione natura, paesaggio e sviluppo del territorio) of the Provincia di Bolzano in Northern Italy, commissions the construction of a first Look Out on Monte Specie at 2,305m.a.s.l. in County of Dobbiaco. Construction is completed in mid-July 2015. The main idea is to create a info-structure with a very strong connection to its context. Considering the highly sensible surroundings of this alpine region, we rather transform the landscape, instead of adding discrete pieces to it. By „raising" the soil we obtain the top of the platform, which partly floats above the ground. The outer perimeter is made of steel, filled with rubble/material from the site. The constraints between building and context blur.
A small canyon leeds to a circular opening in the center of the platform, where informations is stored. A circular index made of stainless steel shows the visible summits. Further information about the landscape and the geology of the Dolomites is found on the outer skirt of the index.