snøhetta has proposed a new museum quarter for bolzano, a city in the south tyrol province of northern italy. the plans see the potential construction of a building on top of the virgl mountain, overlooking the town below. together with a planned cable car structure, also designed by snøhetta, the complex has been conceived as a terrace for the city?s inhabitants. as a new landmark for the area, this elevated public space will still be perceived as being part of the city given its proximity to the center of bolzano and the accessible cable car connection.

all images © moka-studio & snøhetta
 
 
the design study has been conducted by snøhetta on behalf of the signa group to develop the virgl as a potential site for the new museum quarter. the complex is intended to accommodate museum spaces for the south tyrol museum of archaeology and the municipal museum of bolzano as well as exhibition spaces for ?ötzi the iceman? ? a 5,300-year old ice preserved glacier mummy who was found in 1991 with his clothing and equipment still intact.
the landscape will be developed for leisure activities
 
 
?the new museum quarter will create a synthesis of city and nature, of history and future, of building and landscape, of culture, leisure and knowledge,? says kjetil trædal thorsen, founding partner of snøhetta. ?visitors can meet ötzi the iceman, one of the most important archaeological discoveries, on top of the virgl mountain ? a place with a historic atmosphere. they ...