High up in the Dolomite mountains, near the small town of Mareo in South Tyrol, Italy, Pedevilla Architects have recently completed a unique new residence that combines breathtaking alpine views with award-winning architecture. The residence called La Pedevilla, is actually a guest house, and is available for booking throughout the year for picture perfect Alpine vacations in the unspoiled hamlet, located at an altitude of 1200 metres in the Italian Alps. Its design references the traditional ‘‘Les Viles’’ architecture style, which is a traditional type of communal home in South Tyrol; a typical ‘‘Les Viles’’ house is an autonomous farm house, where the living quarters, stable and grain silo are all incorporated, and usually features a saddle roof, a wooden facade, and a loggia-type balcony.

Paying homage to tradition, the architects integrated these long-established elements in the house’s design, whilst also transforming them in a contemporary and independent way. Special care has been taken with the interiors as well, which contrast the austere exterior with their light, calm tones. To further integrate the residence into its traditional surroundings, locally-sourced timber and stone were used for the finishings, along with contemporary materials. Finally, La Pedevilla also references the traditional ‘‘Les Viles’’ style in terms of self-sufficiency, since it is completely energy-sufficient (with its very own water source, geothermal energy plant and solar energy station).

The house has been awarded the first prize in the Housing category and the Public’s Award in the 7th South Tyrol Architecture Prize 2013.