Alpine Barn DZ is an old building in the Dolomites, a small range of the alpine mountains in Northeast Italy, and EXiT Architetti Associati, a local studio, recently refurbished the cottage. It's fitting that Alpine Barn DZ is a historic building, as the refurbishment exaggerates the already excavated look of the building.
Built on a hillside, Alpine Barn DZ's front side is much closer to the ground than its back. Rather than building something following the contour of the slope, though, the original building was constructed in much the same fashion as the cottages and buildings around it. This means that the basement, made of concrete bricks, is totally exposed on the sides and the back, making it look as though the entire chalet has been dug out of the earth.
Excavated Ashen Barns
'Alpine Barn DZ' Looks to Have Been Dug Out of the Earth
Trend Themes
1. Excavated Architecture - There is an opportunity for architects and builders to create unique, visually impactful buildings that take inspiration from the natural surroundings and incorporate the excavation of buildings into the design.
2. Sustainable Building - By incorporating the natural landscape into building designs, there is an opportunity to minimize the economic and environmental impact of construction projects by using existing materials and taking advantage of natural insulation provided by the earth.
3. Historic Restoration - Opportunities exist for architects and builders to restore historic buildings, like Alpine Barn DZ, by exaggerating their unique characteristics to create excitement and interest among visitors while also preserving the history and culture of the region.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - The architecture industry has an opportunity to explore and incorporate unique excavation-inspired design elements into their projects.
2. Green Building - The Green building industry could explore the use of existing materials and natural insulation to reduce economic and environmental impacts during construction and operation of buildings.
3. Historic Preservation - The historic preservation industry could explore exaggerating unique features of historic buildings to create vibrant destination spots while still maintaining their historical and cultural significance.