Beyond the Alpine Vernacular, a Contemporary Architectural Vision Emerges from the Landscape of the Dolomites

Designed by Peter Pichler, Schgaguler Hotel in South Tyrol reinterprets the forms of the Alpine house through geometry, materiality and a dialogue with the surrounding landscape.

At the foot of the Alpe di Siusi, amid the Dolomites of South Tyrol, Schgaguler Hotel is a boutique hotel shaped by a contemporary reading of Alpine architecture. Designed by Peter Pichler, the building retains the pitched roofs of traditional mountain houses while reworking their proportions, surfaces and relationship with the landscape. Pale façades, geometric lines and expansive glazing replace the familiar imagery of the chalet with a more restrained architectural language. Rather than reproducing a vernacular aesthetic, the project works with the forms of the Alpine house, using geometry, material and light to reconsider its place in the mountains.

Three Pitched Roofs and the Contemporary Architecture of the Dolomites

The hotel’s renovation transformed a building dating from the nineteen-eighties, preserving its three pitched-roof volumes while changing their architectural expression. Completed in 2018, the project replaces conventional Alpine detailing with pale façades, deep-set windows and a geometric external framework. 

The framework gives the exterior depth. Its configuration varies with the building’s orientation, extending into loggias on the southern side. The pale gray finish refers to the mineral tones of the Dolomites, while the projecting elements create a pattern of shadows that changes throughout the day.

Pichler retains the recognizable outline of the Alpine house but changes its proportions and surface treatment. The pitched roof becomes part of a composition defined by geometry, light and the relationship between solid walls and glazed openings. Tradition remains visible without determining the entire design.

Natural Materials, Light and Proportion in Contemporary Alpine Interiors

Inside, chestnut wood, stone and textiles establish a restrained material palette. Large windows frame the Sciliar and the surrounding peaks, making daylight and the changing landscape part of the interior.

The rooms avoid a literal interpretation of Alpine domesticity. Rather than reproducing the appearance of a traditional farmhouse, the interiors work with regional materials through a contemporary vocabulary. Wood retains its grain, stone introduces a mineral texture, and glass defines the boundary between the room and the outdoors.

Minimalism here concerns the distribution of attention. With fewer decorative elements, the quality of individual materials becomes more apparent. The depth of a window, the junction between two surfaces and the transition to a loggia contribute to the character of the space.

The hotel’s elegance emerges through proportion, material selection and the organization of the rooms rather than through ornament. The mountain view is not an accessory to the interior. It remains an independent presence, framed by the architecture and altered by weather, season and light.

History and Family Management

Founded by Gottfried and Elisabeth Schgaguler in 1986, the hotel remains a family-run business. Its contemporary identity emerged through a renovation completed in 2018, which transformed the architecture while maintaining the property’s connection to its original setting in Castelrotto.

The family brings together different areas of expertise, from hospitality and creative direction to restaurant management and outdoor activities. Gottfried Schgaguler accompanies guests on excursions in the surrounding mountains, sharing his knowledge of the local terrain and its seasonal conditions. Sandra Schgaguler oversees the restaurant and its wine pairings, connecting the dining experience with the culinary traditions of South Tyrol. Peter and Tobias Schgaguler are involved in the hotel’s management and development, contributing to the evolution of the family business.

The relationship between architecture and hospitality extends beyond the building itself. The renovated spaces establish a contemporary setting for the guest experience, while the family’s involvement in daily operations maintains a connection with the surrounding territory. From the restaurant to guided excursions, the hotel brings together design, regional knowledge and mountain life within a single hospitality project.

Exploring the Alpe di Siusi and the Sciliar in the Dolomites

The Alpe di Siusi extends across a high plateau beneath the limestone peaks of the Dolomites. Its meadows, mountain pastures and walking routes change with the seasons, while the Sciliar provides one of the area’s defining profiles.

The landscape offers different ways to move through the region. Walking routes cross open meadows and connect mountain huts; more demanding excursions involve changes in elevation and exposure. Conditions vary with weather and season, making local knowledge relevant to the choice of route.

The hotel’s position provides access to this wider territory. Guided excursions organized by Gottfried Schgaguler connect the guest experience with the practical realities of mountain travel. The distinction between looking at the mountains and moving through them is significant: the first depends on a view, the second on distance, terrain and physical effort.

South Tyrolean Cuisine, Regional Wines and Alpine Food Culture

South Tyrolean cuisine brings together Alpine traditions and Italian influences, reflecting the region’s geographical position and cultural history. At Schgaguler Hotel, this culinary identity is expressed through the restaurant’s menu, wine selection and interior design.

Sandra Schgaguler oversees the restaurant and its wine pairings. South Tyrol’s vineyards span different elevations and exposures, producing wines that reflect the variety of the region’s growing conditions.

The dining room draws on the tradition of the Stube, the farmhouse room historically used for shared meals and social gatherings. Wooden alcoves recall the intimacy of these traditional interiors, giving the restaurant a sense of enclosure within a contemporary setting. The result connects a familiar element of Alpine domestic culture with the hotel’s understated architectural language.

Cycling in the Dolomites: Sellaronda and the Mountain Passes of South Tyrol

The mountain roads of South Tyrol connect valleys and passes through a network of routes shaped by the terrain. The hotel’s cycling itineraries include the Sellaronda, alongside routes over Passo delle Erbe and Passo Carezza.

The Sellaronda circles the Sella massif, crossing four passes: Gardena, Campolongo, Pordoi and Sella. The hotel’s proposed tour covers approximately 54 kilometres, with an elevation gain of around 1,780 metres. Climbs and descents link the surrounding valleys, offering changing views of the massif along the way.

From 2 to 6 June 2027, the Schgaguler Hotel will host an extended cycling program featuring several itineraries. Highlights include a retro-bike tour around the Bolzano area and a guided ride with Claudio Camin, former professional cyclist and founder of Camin Bikes, followed by a wine tasting at his wife’s family winery.

The program will also coincide with the June edition of Sellaronda Bike Day, when the four passes close to motorised traffic, allowing cyclists to ride through the Dolomites without cars or motorcycles. Noncompetitive and without timed finishes or official rankings, the event welcomes riders of different ages and abilities, transforming the mountain roads into a shared space where the experience is as much about riding together as it is about the route itself.

While the hotel’s programme combines guided cycling experiences with local wine culture, Sellaronda Bike Day offers the freedom to complete the circuit at one’s own pace, with the focus on the shared experience of exploring the Dolomites by bike.