Both a starting point and a destination, the new building created by Pedevilla Architects in collaboration with willeit architektur in Sesto in Val Pusteria, Italy, isn’t exactly the chalet or mountain hut it might appear to be. Instead, it’s an iconic, multifunctional place designed for hikers.

The project is part of a masterplan put together by the local park management for building highly visible structures in strategic locations to act as service provision points for the park, which gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2009.

The project is on the Kreuzberg Pass, an important location for hikers. Its main purpose is to provide them with a range of services, such as information on local hiking trails, mountain huts, nature, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as shelter from the rain and snow.

The steeply pitched roof is a distinguishing element, making the building highly recognizable and clearly visible from a distance. The outer shell is exposed white concrete with locally sourced aggregates, while the interior is finished with hand-cut larch. One of the two triangular elevations and some of the internal walls are set with pieces of amber-colored solid glass, recalling the color of larch resin.

The use of timber and concrete has made it possible for the building to stand out in its setting without altering it, making the project a landmark that’s in total harmony with its natural surroundings.