A theatre-like space facing onto Mount Zugspitze

The Mohr Life Resort is a hospitality complex located in Lermoos, a historic ski resort about 80 kilometres from Innsbruck, Austria. Its new wellness space, a clearly delineated exposed concrete and glass volume that stands apart from the existing hotel complex, was designed by Bolzano-based practice noa* network of architecture. The South Tyrolean firm worked on both the architecture and interior design, devoting the utmost attention to the choice of styles, materials, colours, shapes and functions.
Built over a period of six months between April and October 2018, the wellness space is partially set into the slope below the hotel and offers a modern interpretation of the spa model based on the finest examples of contemporary Alpine architecture. It is a modern but site-specific project inspired by Mount Zugspitze, the dominant landmark in this mountainous region near the border with Germany. According to noa* partner Christian Rottensteiner, the more than 3,000-metre-high mountain “clearly provided the inspiration for the project in terms of beauty, strength and formal complexity. The new wellness space is conceived as a theatre from where visitors can admire the extraordinary natural spectacle in complete relaxation and in total harmony with the landscape.”
The volumes of the new Mohr Life Resort wellness space are transparent and clearly defined. They blend into the landscape, drawing inspiration from the traditional dry stone walls that perform a retaining function and run transversally across the slopes. The modular architecture is generated by a square grid that propagates in both plan and elevation views and stands out in particular for its use of exposed concrete and glass surfaces facing onto the landscape.
The project extends over a total surface area of 600 square metres divided up between a 430 square metre interior on two levels connected by a striking central spiral staircase and an exterior dominated by an outdoor swimming pool that runs the entire length of the building. Access is entirely underground on level -1.
The upper floor houses symmetrically laid out relaxation areas all facing towards the mountain. The lower level has a larger floor space and consists of a private lounge area, a lobby with bar and a separate and independent spa with panoramic sauna and mini-bistro. The wellness space is equipped with the necessary service areas including changing rooms, showers and plant rooms.
Level -1 also provides access to the outdoor swimming pool, which widens out towards the interior and is dotted with islands offering a variety of sensory and relaxation experiences.
The rigorous exterior with its inwardly exposed load-bearing structure left contrasts appealingly with the interior design choices, characterised by minimalist backgrounds, attention to detail, and warm, neutral colours in shades of grey and blue for the velvet curtains and furnishings. The flooring of the sauna and shower area stands out for its strong personality dictated by the quality and aesthetics of Italian ceramics. The concrete effect of Street collection large porcelain slabs from Marca Corona, chosen in the colour Dark, harmonises with the cold surfaces of the exposed concrete and creates a pleasing contrast with the pale coloured natural wood of the organically shaped benches, giving a contemporary minimalist feel to interiors designed for moments of comfort, relaxation and tranquillity immersed in the Alpine landscape.