Earth-Sheltered Eco Hotel in Alps from Matteo Thun
A radical new earth-sheltered design for the Bella Vista Trafoi hotel in the Italian Alps earns Italian architect Matteo Thun, one of the founders of the Memphis Group the Klimahotel designation, meaning “eco-responsible tourism”. Outwardly; these are just eleven lumps in the side of a mountain, but they provide guests with great views out and a warm and cozy stay within.
There are many ecological advantages to earth sheltered designs like these. With no “outside” you get freedom from weather damage of the exterior, while in turn maintaining local habitat for the plants and animals in the region.
Only the huge glass frontages remain as a sign of human habitations. They retain the maximum daylighting and views, and because they are triple-paned – keeping noise and cold out – they ensure that the interior climates are pleasant and temperate.
Energy reduction is the main advantage to underground building. Using passive design principles to heat and cool the interiors, boosted by ground heat pump to provide energy-efficient heating and cooling, the hotel is designated as a Klimahotel (it is eco friendly).
Source: Treehugger
6 Comments so far to “Earth-Sheltered Eco Hotel in Alps from Matteo Thun”
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June 21st, 2010 at 9:15 pm
A little bit Lord of The Rings isn't it? Would be a little bit annoying when your sleeping and someones mowing the lawns – unless its goats and sheep of course
cool concept
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:57 pm
This is amazing!
June 24th, 2010 at 2:22 am
unique, fresh design but How about with the window?
August 9th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
[...] an affordable housing project. This green roof mound shape is becoming a familiar one. An entire Swiss eco hotel is comprised of the same [...]
January 28th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
hello!i'm a student in architecture!
i find this project really rich and interesting!
can i have more graphic files about it please?
October 30th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
[...] A more direct approach to thermal conditions and the “hobbit house” can be seen in Matteo Thun’s Bella Vista Trafoi Hotel in Italy’s alps. In this case, the hotel looks like a modern version of the Shire. It uses passive design principles to heat and cool the spaces. Some of these principles are the “triple paned” windows that keep noise and cold out, “ground heat pumps” and what Kwok calls “earth cooling tubes”. (Facts on Matteo Thun’s Bella Vista) [...]