Dormitory Malles

098
Client: Private
Address: Bahnhofstraße 4

Visualisation: ROCOCOON

Idea

The concept and organisation of the new building is based on the historical building. The existing dormitory designed by Arch. Helmuth Maurer is an exemplary example of modern architecture in Val Venosta. Taking this fact into account, the new building is to be arranged as a solitary structure behind the existing dormitory. The interventions in the existing building are reduced to a minimum. The aim is to preserve the materiality, consistency and quality of the existing building, or to expose it anew and give it a contemporary theme.

A generously lit foyer leads from the existing entrance into the new building. The cafeteria is located here. From this main floor, one reaches the open space, where generous plaza and lounge areas are located in front. Here, both an open space and an intimate courtyard are provided, inviting the residents to linger. These open spaces form a smooth transition between inside and outside and offer the possibility of a functional extension of the dining room. The first floor has generous covered terraces and encloses an open communicative lounge area through which the village centre and the courtyard on the ground floor can be reached. This main floor functions as a link between the village and the home and is intended to become the new centre and communicative hub in the building ensemble.

The necessary rooms are arranged on the upper floors. These are designed as single and double rooms. These floors are accessed via two diagonally opposed staircases and a central lift.

Urban design: Like the existing building, the new building is designed as a square tower and enters into a visual and formal dialogue with the existing building. The new building is reduced in its formal language and materiality. The structure has sufficient distance to the surrounding buildings and appears self-confident and contemporary. In terms of urban planning, the new building is oriented towards the volumes of the surrounding public buildings.

Construction and material: The new building is a solid construction. It has two staircases made of reinforced concrete and the central lift, which is located in a reinforced concrete core. In addition, the partition walls of the bathrooms form two closed rings, which can be used constructively.

In terms of materiality, the new building is oriented towards the existing building. An honest approach to material and colour is aimed for. Materials should be left and used in their natural state. In public spaces, wood, glass and reinforced concrete are to be the determining materials, while in the private bedrooms, white wall surfaces and wood are to the fore.

The new facade consists of foamed aluminium panels, which are divided modularly and arranged vertically. In the storey transitions, the façade cladding is separated by a black shadow gap. Here, too, the new building tries to react appropriately to the formwork pattern of the exposed concrete by using rough durable materials. In front of the windows in the stairwells and the corridors, the façade panels take on the function of sun protection and railings. The windows in the bedrooms are designed as box-type windows and interrupt the homogeneity of the façade through their offset position and protruding volume. The box-type window itself consists of double-leaf balcony doors, a sunshade in front of it and an openable motorised outer pane made of stepped glass. This can be opened for ventilation and cleaning. During the winter months, the air volume in the box-type window acts as a small, intimate conservatory, which contributes to passive energy generation.