Continuity and independence

Nova Ponente, a village in South Tyrol at 1,300 metres above sea level, is home to BS Hof—a traditional family farmstead with deep generational roots. Originally built in 1850, the farmhouse is part of a small cluster of agricultural buildings that form a distinct micro-village. When the farmer’s daughter decided to start a family of her own, she wanted to remain close to her origins while gaining independence. This balance between continuity and autonomy laid the groundwork for a sensitive architectural extension that respects both heritage and change.

Built heritage and evolving needs

BS Hof’s existing layout reflects the logic of a typical Alpine farmstead: stone for the main house, wood for ancillary buildings, and three levels responding to the sloping terrain. The original idea was to divide the main house vertically between generations, but this proved incompatible with the farmhouse’s proportions. Preserving the visual harmony of the ensemble became a key concern. The solution emerged not by building upward but by expanding laterally, using the topography to introduce a new volume aligned with the upper floor of the historic home, creating a subtle and respectful transformation.

A sculptural yet grounded design

The extension announces itself with a triangular form that evokes the outline of a hut, simple and confident. Connected to the old structure via a flat-roofed volume housing the entrance, the new building maintains both physical continuity and conceptual distinction. Between the two volumes lies a circular patio—an architectural hinge and contemplative space. Inside, the new home offers a contrast of functions: living spaces in the old farmhouse, and bedrooms in the new wing. The master suite, high within the new roofline, is wrapped in timber, offering an intimate retreat with views across the South Tyrolean landscape.

Material dialogue with the Alpine context

Materials play a central role in uniting past and present. The new volume is clad in untreated larch, allowing it to weather naturally, while the flat-roofed connector and patio are cast in sandblasted concrete that reveals local porphyry aggregates. These choices mirror the farm’s vernacular architecture without resorting to imitation. A concrete loggia projects from the circular courtyard, framing panoramic mountain views and creating a link between human habitation and the wider landscape. Through this restrained yet expressive composition, BS Hof’s story continues—rooted in tradition but open to transformation.

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