Architecture woven into the Dolomites

Perched at an altitude of 1,067 metres in Sant’Andrea, on the slopes of the Plose, AKI Family Resort Plose is set among the meadows, coniferous forests and pastures of South Tyrol, on the doorstep of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. Its proximity to Bressanone, the Plose hiking trails, mountain biking routes and ski lifts makes it an ideal meeting point for nature-based tourism, outdoor activities and luxury hospitality.

Conceived by the Adler Spa Resorts & Lodges Group as its first resort devoted entirely to families, the project reinterprets the holiday experience as an ecosystem in which architecture, landscape and learning form part of a single narrative. Designed by G22 Projects, a practice based in Lana and Munich, together with architect Igor Comploi, it takes the form of a dynamic arrangement of buildings that follow the contours of the site. This dispersed architectural approach reduces the development’s impact by breaking up its massing.

At the heart of the resort is a central building housing all the shared facilities: reception, foyer, restaurant, bar, play areas, family wellness facilities and fitness spaces. Arranged around it are six buildings containing 70 rooms and suites, discreetly connected by outdoor paths through the greenery and a network of internal links. An adults-only Forest Spa tucked away among the trees, staff accommodation and an educational farm complete the development. Integration into the landscape is the guiding design principle, with buildings partially embedded in the terrain and green roofs that visually merge with the Alpine meadows. The architecture adopts a restrained contemporary language, in which local timber is the defining material.

Outside, the façades are clad in vertically arranged, rough-sawn larch, echoing the texture of the tree trunks in the surrounding forest and allowing the wood to weather naturally. Planted roofs and timber cladding soften the presence of the buildings, strengthening the dialogue between architecture and landscape.

Inside, a palette inspired by the Alpine landscape combines shades of earth, timber, stone and meadow green to create bright, relaxing spaces. Large expanses of glazing maintain a constant connection between indoors and outdoors, making the views an integral part of the design.

Certified to CasaClima A standard, AKI Family Resort Plose meets high energy performance standards through extensive use of natural materials and local timber, photovoltaic systems, maximised natural daylight and planted roofs. The project also prioritises avoiding plastic in its main construction elements and choosing durable, aesthetically considered materials, including ceramics, which complement the other natural materials and reinforce the coherence of the design.

Floors and walls feature large slabs from the Compatta collection by CEDIT, a Florim Group brand. The Limo shade, evoking natural sediments, is used in the suite bathrooms, while the warmer Sabbia variant covers the outdoor areas and pool surrounds.