The Italian studio noa* (Network of Architecture) referenced reflections in water when creating the Hub of Huts, a well-being area that appears to defy gravity at the Hotel Hubertus in South Tyrol, Italy. Dangling from the edge of an alpine cliff, this structure initially appears to be an optical illusion. The modern gabled huts on the cantilevered platform are mirrored underneath, upside-down and slightly stretched like a reflection on a body of water.
It is a concept that plays with the horizon line, the perception of upside-down, and the points of view. Lukas Rungger, the architect in charge of the project and noa* founder, explains: “The essence of this project is the overturning of horizons, with the resulting effect of wonder for the observer. If you think about it, however, changing perspectives is a common exercise in wellness areas, where, depending on whether you are lying in the sauna, sitting in the relaxation area, or diving headfirst into the pool, the views are constantly changing”.
On the upper level of the Hub of Huts platform are two pools, alongside panoramic showers and a changing room. Below, where the huts appear to be anchored upside down, the lower level has a foyer, two saunas, showers, and a third outdoor pool. Here, the inverted gables allowed NOA to hide a water purification system for the pools and form the tiered seating for the saunas.
The aesthetic of the huts mimics Hubertus Pool which is a widely-known feature of the hotel and the rest of the Hotel Hubertus, which was extensively renovated by noa* in 2016. In addition to adding 16 new suites, a new kitchen with restaurants, a wine cellar, and fitness and relaxation rooms, the firm created a new facade from native larch tree trunks. This rhythmic, undulating exterior connects the hotel’s old and new volumes and gives them a visual cohesiveness. The same debarked larch trunks are used as pillars for both the cantilevered swimming pool and the Hub of Huts.
