Hotel Saltus

Hotel Saltus, a serene alpine retreat nestled in Jenesien near Bolzano, South Tyrol, completed in 2019, redefines sustainable hospitality through deliberate materiality and immersive design. Designed by Heike Pohl and Andreas Zanier of Studiotara, the project embodies Klimahaus Standard A—a rigorous certification ensuring minimal environmental impact—while prioritizing a program of restorative connection to nature.

The building unfolds across three distinct volumes cascading down a steep slope, their sharp geometry carved into the landscape to create dynamic outdoor terraces, lounges, and balconies. Each room and public space frames the surrounding forest or the distant Dolomites, with full-height glazing dissolving boundaries between interior and exterior. The circulation is a meditative sequence of light-filled corridors, where natural light—filtered through narrow slits—guides movement and heightens awareness of the journey itself.

The material palette is deliberately raw and local: exterior cladding of pre-weathered larch, a resilient native timber, contrasts with smooth cement plasters and walnut wood interiors, grounding the spaces in tactile warmth. Sustainability extends beyond certification—there are no televisions, no artificial distractions, just daylight, open views, and the quiet rhythm of the alpine environment. Landscape contributions by Davide Perbellini and Samuel Holzner further amplify the site’s natural drama, ensuring the hotel remains a study in understated elegance within contemporary architecture in South Tyrol.