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HOTEL GREIF BOLZANO, ITALY |
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ARCHITECTURE / INTERIOR DESIGN |
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| Boris Podrecca & 33 contemporary artists |
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“Greif” is the German word for “griffin” – the mythical creature with a lion’s body and the wings, beak and talons of an eagle. Just as the griffin combines diverse strengths, so does this centuries-old hotel with a view onto the Dolomites of northern Italy. However, there is nothing antiquated about this modern space infused with traditional architectural details.
Viennese architect Boris Podrecca has used a steel and glass entrance to mirror the modernity found within, but because elements such as the façade are under a preservation order, Podrecca has incorporated the wood of the original portal in the final design. Creative tension is generally encouraged by this juxtaposition of historic and modern elements, which follows certain principles of chiaroscuro – light vs. dark – and also pairs contemporary art works with ones from the 17th, 18th or 19th centuries.
The hotel has been in the hands of the Staffler family since 1816 and the current owner, Franz Staffler, collaborated with Podrecca on composing 33 individual guestrooms from scratch: Some are split level loft spaces, some have terraces and bay windows, others have steam saunas or whirlpool baths. Natural, untreated materials are used throughout – from non-lacquered parquet floors, raw silk curtains to hand-woven gabardine carpets and bathrooms lined with exclusive marble and even featuring silver leaf covered walls. If the chair in your room happens to not be one of the fine antique examples of Biedermeier craftsmanship on display at the hotel, then it’ll definitely be one which has been especially handcrafted in maple or walnut in the local carpentry workshop. Each room features a specially commissioned work by a different artist – hand-picked by Staffler who was assisted by art historian Carl Kraus from Innsbruck and Andreas Hapkemeyer of the Bolzano Modern Art museum. |
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