Apartment Habitat Mavi

Eighty three-thousand-metre peaks form the backdrop around Sand in Taufers at the ent­rance to the Ahrntal valley, com­plete with impressive water­falls and nature expe­ri­ences. Wat­ching over it all is the 800-year-old Taufers Castle – one of the biggest and most beau­tiful in South Tyrol. With so much spec­tacle and so many super­la­tives, there needs to be tran­quillity at the heart of it all – and in the archi­tecture. Habitat Mavi is situated right in the heart of the village, amongst chestnut trees, bakeries and bars. It is so simple and unob­trusive that it will still fit into the local land­scape in 30 years’ time – not because it keeps a low profile, but because it speaks the lan­guage of the place using con­tem­porary design prin­ciples, and com­bines clean-lined, mini­malist archi­tecture with a warm, inviting interior style.

The story of today’s dwelling begins with a demo­lition: the aim was to transform the family home, built in the 1980s, into a multi-gene­ra­tional house with a holiday flat – one that blends into the village land­scape whilst still retaining its own unique cha­racter. Urban-alpine – a showcase for South Tyrol’s sym­biosis of deeply rooted building tra­di­tions and pro­gressive, modern archi­tecture. Andreas Gruber, architect from the Eisack Valley, distils both extremes down to their essence and designs a house that, at first glance, is hardly noti­ceable, yet never becomes boring upon closer inspection.

You only need to look at the façade for a few minutes to under­stand how it works: the architect has carefully studied the region’s his­toric farm­steads – lime-plas­tered masonry, a gable roof, larch timber and, above all, the typical per­fo­rated façades with window ope­nings of all sizes. A ste­reo­ty­pical visual lan­guage that he has reinter­preted. As a result, no two ope­nings are alike; even the details and mate­rials stand out from one another, bringing the building to life. The asym­me­trical gable roof is clad in sheet metal, whilst the window frames and eaves are made of unt­reated larch timber, thus pre­serving the sil­houette of the old village.

Inside, the tone becomes even more subdued, yet no less intri­guing: Even the design of the guest apartment on the ground floor represents a bold rejection of clichés. Instead of beamed cei­lings and cosy knick-knacks, there are light-coloured tro­welled floors, lime-plas­tered walls, flush-fitting doors and bespoke fit­tings, which the owners have deli­berately con­trasted with antique tre­asures, vintage fur­niture and works of art. A deli­berate reduction in form, colour and abun­dance that creates space – for crea­tivity and for the people who live there. In addition, the generous picture windows provide a direct con­nection to the adjacent village park.

The flat is sui­table for up to four people and is ideal for design enthu­siasts, outdoor enthu­siasts and business tra­vellers. It is in a quiet, traffic-calmed area with views of the coun­tryside, yet just a two-minute walk from the nearest espresso bar and only a few minutes’ drive from the moun­tains of the Ahrntal valley and the Dolo­mites. Besides a private parking space, there is also a dedi­cated ski and cycle storage room. A relaxing base sur­rounded by nature’s grand ges­tures.

What to do

In summer, hiking, mountaineering and cycling (e.g. in the Rieserferner-Ahrntal Nature Park right on your doorstep or in the Dolomites); in autumn, leisurely walks and Törggelen; in winter, the Speikboden, Klausberg and Kronplatz are within easy reach (and easily accessible by bus), cross-country skiing in Rein in Taufers, culture and architecture (e.g. Taufers Castle, the Messner Mountain Museum Corones designed by Zaha Hadid or the Messner Mountain Museum Ripa in Bruneck), day trips to Bruneck or Bolzano, as well as regional cuisine all year round

Why we like this house

Habitat Mavi doesn’t shout – it engages in conversation. A subtle alternative to chalet prestige and rustic style, with deep roots, varied views and a remarkable sense of calm.

This house is great for

A peaceful retreat for design-conscious couples, small families, outdoor enthusiasts and workation pioneers.

Sustainability

Certified to Klimahaus-A standard; public transport: take the train to Bruneck, then continue by bus; the accommodation is just a few minutes’ walk away; free use of public transport

Details

Availability calendar

The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with white background the accommodation is still available. On days with dark gray background the accommodation is not available.

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