UFO

In the alpine valley of Pustertal near Bruneck, UFO emerges as a radical reinterpretation of residential architecture, completed in 2018 by Arch. Stefan Hitthaler of StudioStefan Hitthaler Architektur. The project transforms an existing structure into a single-family home that defies conventional typologies, blending contemporary alpine residential design with poetic materiality. Its name—derived from a playful yet deliberate allusion to the found and repurposed—hints at the intervention’s spirit: a deconstructed, reassembled form that feels both grounded and otherworldly.

The building’s organic, undulating silhouette dissolves rigid geometry, its timber-clad exterior weathered to a silvery patina that echoes the surrounding Dolomites. Inside, circulation unfolds as a series of fluid, interconnected spaces, with natural light filtering through strategically placed skylights and glazed partitions. The material palette centers on local larch and oak, their textures contrasting rough-hewn surfaces with smooth, sanded finishes, while the absence of overt sustainability certifications suggests a reliance on passive strategies—thick insulation, thermal mass, and natural ventilation—typical of the region’s climate-adaptive architecture.

Contextually, UFO sits lightly on its site, its low profile and earth-toned palette allowing it to recede into the landscape while still asserting presence. The project’s interior, designed in collaboration with LACKNER, balances raw materiality with refined detailing, from exposed beams to custom joinery. Though not explicitly labeled as Klimahaus Standard, its approach aligns with the region’s emphasis on energy efficiency and material honesty. A study in transformation, UFO proves that even in alpine conservatism, architecture can soar.