Hadi Teherani Architects has designed “ATMOSPHERE”, a new spa and wellness destination in the Austrian Alps. Run by the Altenberger family, the recreational facility would be the latest addition to the 5-star Krallerhof hotel and spa complex near Leogang, Austria.

The new design is comprised of a curved split-roof structure that arches over 100 meters and blends into the green surroundings, an underground connection to the main hotel that is punctuated midway by a circular sunken courtyard, and a 5,500 m² natural lake as the centerpiece of the landscape. Located on a sloping site, the smooth shape aims to minimize the visual impact on the scenic view from the hotel while adding an integral element to the alpine terrain.

The overall space in the new building is organized based on split floorplan typology: both levels are covered by the main roof while exhibiting a difference in height of more than 4 m.

The building connects to the main terrace and the promenade around the lake to the west and via a descending glass façade. The panoramic opening creates a uniform indoor/outdoor space between the open plan on the 1^st floor and the linear swimming pool nestled inside the lake. The ground floor houses the various saunas, the locker rooms and a relaxation area with split platforms oriented eastwards together with the main view along the valley. The main highlight on the ground floor, however, is the Finnish sauna. 21 m long and 4 m high, the wooden structure is glazed in the direction of the façade while adding a smooth sculptural volume to the interior.

A lamella ceiling has been designed in order to create a cohesive interior space. It starts from the beginning of the connecting corridor to the hotel and runs almost 175 m to reach the far end of the main roof. The CNC-milled construction adapts to the ever-changing form of the building along the way and serves to bring all the elements together.

The choice of materials is limited to local products in order to take the “genius loci”, the sense of resource conservation and short production routes into account. Locally produced wood and glass are used to accompany the exposed concrete walls with vertical boarding, and special furniture is made of so-called alpine marble from the immediate vicinity.