Villa Mayr: hospitality poised between the traditional and modern

By Caterina Testa - 5 March 2021

Villa Mayr is a historic hospitality facility in the small town of Vahrn, north of Brixen, Italy. The building dates from 1570 and was converted into a boarding house in the late 1800s. Aware of both this precious heritage and the need to update the facility, the current owners turned to the Bergmeisterwolf studio to reconcile tradition and modernity. In response, Bergmeisterwolf came up with a project that allows the old and new to coexist, combining elements of both traditional and contemporary architectural languages.

The original external volume with its reddish timber façade was an imposing sight. Its appearance has now been given a vibrancy with the addition of thin colored profiles. As you walk around the building, the red timber alternates with shades of yellow and then blue, the tones constantly changing according to the direction of the light and the position of the observer. The design of the railing along the long ground-level balcony has been borrowed from traditional local farmhouses, adding a splash of the familiar across the unorthodox background. Although the cladding used for the ground and attic floors is identical, the original distinction between the two – previously the result of plaster and timber finishes – has been retained in the new project through the slight overhang of the upper floor.

Stepping inside, on the ground floor, essential, contemporary lines form the backdrop to traditional elements. The immense supporting structure that punctuates the interior has made it possible to remove a wall on the ground floor and widen the interior spaces, while retaining the sequence of the foyer, reception, and bar areas. The uniform, essential surface finishes combine with furnishings and décor with a built-in familiarity imparted by the patina of time. The old dark wooden chairs, crystal chandeliers, wall paneling, and the purple red of the ceilings all conjure up the welcoming atmosphere of yesteryear.

Upstairs, the wardrobes, shelves, and desks, with thin steel profiles and wooden surfaces, have been custom made for the spaces of each guestroom. The color of the timber is lighter here, set off against the backdrop of sage green surfaces. Some of the attic rooms have balconies, cut out from the large roof.

The historic flavor of the spaces and functions continue outside, with the project including the restoration of a large pergola for guests to relax in good weather. Today, just as yesterday, an ancient chestnut tree continues to provide shade and shelter to the hotel’s garden.