Hotel Cosmea by upc Architects

The project focuses on the expansion and reorganization of an existing hotel in Ortisei. The current building comprises a ground floor with a bistro and four upper floors with guest rooms. A special highlight of the design is the spacious rooftop terrace planned for the top floor, offering guests an unobstructed view over the valley and thereby enhancing the overall quality of their stay.

A central design element is the façade, inspired by the temporary ice sculptures created in winter in the Gardena stream. This so-called “icicle façade” will be implemented as an installation on the main façade, linking traditional building forms with contemporary design. Vertical modules unfold a sculptural character and interpret the theme of water as a frozen moment. The structure serves not only an aesthetic, but also a functional purpose: it acts as a visual screen and spatial divider between rooms. This creates privacy without losing the connection to the surrounding environment. Furthermore, the façade reflects the interplay between nature and architecture. It translates the dynamism of water into a tangible form and opens up new perspectives on the building. From a distance, it appears like an ornamental band; up close, the modules reveal their narrative and tactile qualities. This results in a multi-layered connection between space, material, and perception, inviting visitors to engage in a dialogical relationship with the building.