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Biwak 12 is the conversion of a typical 1980s mountain restaurant located in Moso, in the heart of the Sesto Dolomites, South Tyrol. In this small village, everything revolves around the mountain theme. The idea was to create a meeting place in a relaxed atmosphere, catering to tourists and locals, mountaineers and climbers, young and old alike. In alpine terminology, a Biwak (bivouac) refers to a minimally equipped shelter in high-altitude areas. The concept of refuge is at the core of this project, transforming a traditional restaurant into a community hub.
The design concept borrows elements from a typical bivouac—specifically, the red bivouac at the foot of Croda dei Toni/Cima 12, a key feature of the local mountain landscape—and integrates them into the spatial reconfiguration. Both the exterior and interior are designed to evoke the world of the mountains and the microcosm of the bivouac. This is reflected in the brick-red color of the bar counter, chairs, benches, tables, lamps, certain walls, and parts of the vaulted ceiling, as well as in the tactile effect of the raw industrial materials used, such as metal sheets and untreated plywood panels (except for color treatments). The graphics and specific details further reinforce the alpine climbing aesthetic.
Following the principle of upcycling, the project focuses on material reuse, reorganizing the spatial layout and reinterpreting the color scheme. The vaulted ceiling has been restored and integrated into the new setting, reinforcing the identity of the space. Between the lively and dynamic bar area and the more intimate and reserved restaurant section, there is a room that encapsulates the project's core theme: the bivouac experience near Croda dei Toni. This concept is expressed through a niche dominated by red, from the walls to the lamps, while the foldable tables echo those found in a bivouac, complete with climbing carabiners. Preserving the connection with local history and tradition, the original Tyrolean stube remains intact.
Through a few precise and targeted interventions, the exterior of the venue—an extension of an old existing building—has been completely transformed, standing out from its surroundings while maintaining an open dialogue and interaction with them. A key element of this transformation is the terrace, which extends from the bar/restaurant volume and is open to the public, aiming to become a new landmark and a point of revitalization for the village.
Location: Sesto, Italy
Completion: 2022
Client: Christian Schwienbacher
Architect: Plasma Studio
Photography by Florian Jaenicke, Michael Pezzei, Alex Filz, courtesy of Plasma Studio
