Hesselbrand’s Acquarossa Spa & Hotel is carbon-conscious and community-focused

Architects Hesselbrand have designed the 120-room Acquarossa Spa & Hotel in the Swiss Alps with elements for sustainability and fostering a sense of community among both guests and residents of the local area.

The Acquarossa is aimed at bringing people together in a social and relaxed atmosphere based on their mutual interest in wellbeing and experience-based tourism.

Located in the village of Acquarossa in Ticino, Switzerland, it provides views of the surrounding mountains and opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking.

A completely new build, the development comprises three timber buildings on a stone plinth. A combination of natural and man-made materials are intended to give a classic yet contemporary look, referencing the architecture of traditional buildings in the Swiss Alps.

Hesselbrand minimised the carbon footprint of the building by using only locally sourced materials for its construction.

Solar panels installed on the roof, meanwhile, contribute towards the hotel’s power requirements and the timber façades are designed to minimise the need for heating and cooling, as are the orientations of the buildings.

Shared spaces between the buildings are designed for use by both hotel guests and local residents, with a plaza at the centre of the site, small adjacent gardens and accompanying restaurants and bars.

In the interests of attracting and catering to a diverse clientele, some guest rooms will be more simple and affordable while others will be more spacious and luxurious. All follow a common design language.

Hesselbrand told CLAD: "Guests will find themselves in a uniquely social environment for a hotel. The design aims at attracting a mix of guests with different backgrounds who are all brought together by shared values and interests. So everything has been designed to achieve a social, relaxed atmosphere.

“This is reflected across all scales, from the overall plan down to the furnishing, lighting and material choices. We designed the rooms to range from affordable to luxurious, so that people from all walks of life can visit the hotel, and thus also creating a more genuine social experience.”

Design work started at the beginning of 2018 and the project is scheduled for completion in 2022.