#COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
Puradies wellness resort by noa* blends fluidly into Austria's rolling meadows
A WELLNESS RESORT BACKDROPPED BY SOARING MOUNTAINS
Embedded into Austria‘s mountainous postcard landscapes, an expansion of the Puradies wellness resort opens with architecture and interior design by Noa* (Network of Architecture). The newly completed boutique hotel is planned to respond fluidly with the rolling topography of its natural context, and includes a spa that revolves around the elements of fire, water, earth, and air. Backdropped by a dramatic mountain range and verdant meadows, Puradies offers a ‘haven of vitality’ for visitors seeking both relaxation and outdoor sports in the Tyrolean region.
A LANDSCAPE-FOCUSED HAVEN OF ECOTOURISM
Before its expansion by Noa*, Puradies originally stood as a farm house with guest rooms, and has since evolved into a family-run hotel dedicated to ecotourism. Visitors to the hotel are commonly passionate skiers, mountain bikers, hikers, and families traveling to explore the surrounding mountain peaks. With seventy-six rooms and fourteen chalets arranged in a village-like layout, the hotel offers a ‘heavenly’ space for both relaxation seekers and sports enthusiasts.
From the outset of the design process, the architects at Noa* placed a strong emphasis on the scenic landscape that envelops Puradies. Before the recent extension, the hotel featured a natural bathing pond with boardwalks but lacked pools. Responding to high demand, a completely new spa concept was devised, integrating wellness and sports areas, as well as a new in-house restaurant.
THE LOW-LYING ARCHITECTURE BY NOA*
The new Puradies building by Noa* integrates into the landscape and encompasses fitness and yoga rooms, relaxation rooms, swimming pools, and a restaurant. The floor plans follow concentric rows that blend harmoniously with the natural topography. One section faces the bathing lake, while the other faces the hill on the south side, resulting in two balanced and inviting facades regardless of the approach direction.
The green roofs merge seamlessly with the meadows, and the interior spaces offer splendid views towards the north and south, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of Austria. The expressive peaked canopies of the new wellness wing rise gently from the ground like a wave and fluidly disappear into the meadow, preserving the pastoral surroundings characterized by endless expanse and tall grasses.
INSIDE THE PURADIES WELLNESS RESORT
The journey through Puradies’ wellness area begins with a lawn adorned with raised beds, a column fountain made of Dorfer quartzite, and an open-air fire pit, connecting the main house to the new building. The existing corridor leading to the beauty reception area has been retained underground, serving as the connecting point for access to the new wellness area.
A new long corridor sets the mood for the four-element experience, featuring treatment rooms and leading to the sports and fitness room with a view of an inner courtyard adorned with a rock garden. Inside the corridor, earth and air converge, embodied by a rough, surfaced wall in an earthy hue on one side and light linen fabrics on the opposite side of the window. The mineral, coarse plaster lends a tactile quality to the passage, while the abundant natural light and lively textiles create a mystical ambiance.
Continuing the journey, guests are welcomed by the fireplace lounge, a split-level room that serves as a connection between the wellness area and the restaurant. At the center of this space, an open, bowl-shaped hanging fireplace takes the spotlight, framed by a floor-to-ceiling wall artwork by a talented local artist, Michael Lang. Adjacent to the lounge is the new yoga room, which doubles as another relaxation room, complete with fold-out couches. A staircase leads to the upper level, where the new restaurant awaits.
A new à la carte restaurant, Ess-Enz, can be found on the upper floor of the Puradies expansion by Noa*. The building’s architectural presence is discreetly apparent on this level, showcasing large glass fronts and recessed skylights that create an airy lightness and offer captivating views of the pond, pool, and sky. Inside, organically shaped wooden ceiling elements adorned with hanging plants mimic the height profile of a mountain. Wooden lights, laser-cut with intricate patterns that seem to vibrate with the air circulation, enhance the sense of weightlessness. The compact seating islands, covered in fabric with both plain and patterned designs, provide a grounded design element.
Alongside the restaurant, a sun terrace with sweeping, panoramic views allows guests to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings. The tilted section of the projecting roofs creates an intriguing open space between the two closed structures, significantly influencing the perception of the landscape. Two additional relaxation rooms, one with natural stone accents dedicated to earth and the other with sisal surfaces open to the air, are situated on the sun terrace, separated from the restaurant. This completes the cycle of the wellness area, as the building gradually merges back into the landscape.
Project info:
Project title: Puradies resort expansion | @puradies_leogang
Architecture, interior design: Noa* (Network of Architecture) | @networkofarchitecture
Location: Leogang, Austria
Completion: May 2023
Photography: © Alex Filz
