Architects: Lechner & Lechner Architects
Area: 7,560 m²
Year: 2021
Photography: Julian Hoeck
Manufacturers: Graphisoft, Binderholz
Lead Architect: Christine Lechner
Building Physics: Ingenieurbüro Ing. Denis Gappmaier
Design Planning: Lukas Ployer
Visualization: Paul Lechner
Submitting Architect: Michael Trixl
Client Representation: Joerg Neumaier, Arne Tammen
Furniture Designer: Stephan Keil
Structural Engineer: Thomas Forsthuber
Fire Protection: GOLSER TECHNISCHES BÜRO GmbH
House Technic Design Consultant: Bestra GmbH, OPTIPLAN Ingenieurgesellschaft für technische Gebäudeausrüstung und Energiewirtschaft GmbH
Geology Consultant: Mag. Andreas Pflügler GmbH
City: Hochkrimml
Country: Austria
Youthhostel Gerlos, a hospitality project designed by Lechner & Lechner Architects in Hochkrimml, Austria, reinterprets youth accommodations through a cost-efficient, timber-based design. Completed in 2021, the seven-story structure integrates cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction with the alpine landscape, forming a U-shaped village square that enhances social interaction. Spanning 7,560 m², the facility includes extensive sports amenities such as a gymnasium, climbing walls, and an indoor soccer field. A transparent internal promenade enhances connectivity and spatial flow, while a commitment to sustainable materials reinforces environmental responsibility and a raw, authentic aesthetic.
Topography and historical context are fundamental to our design process. In natural landscapes, we strive to integrate buildings harmoniously into their surroundings. On sloped sites, we take advantage of the terrain to create structures that appear to merge with the landscape—such as the Gerlos Youth Hostel, which is “embedded deep within the landscape,” revealing its spatial depth only upon entry.
Interview with Christine Lechner of Lechner & Lechner Architects
Youthhostel Gerlos is positioned on a sloped site accessed via Hochkrimml Straße, where its main structure extends as an elongated timber volume in the northern section. The urban and spatial design establishes a U-shaped village square to the south, serving as a transitional space between the guest house and its surroundings. This semi-public area is framed by two single-story wings that extend eastward and westward, seamlessly integrating into the landscape through undulating, vegetated forms that dissolve into the terrain. The architectural approach embeds these wings within the topography, covering them with earth and greenery to create a natural connection with the alpine environment. Upon arrival, the structure presents itself as a monolithic timber form—an understated yet deliberate intervention within its setting.
Located at 1,700 meters above sea level between the Zillertal and Pinzgau regions, the youth hostel is designed to accommodate travelers seeking adventure. Its spatial organization prioritizes adaptability to foster social engagement. The seven-story building employs cross-laminated timber (CLT) for ceilings and walls, taking the form of a dominant timber bar that spans 74 meters in length, 17 meters in width, and rises to a height of 21.7 meters. A total of 1,840 m³ of locally sourced wood was used in construction.
The layout follows a structured, puzzle-like logic, integrating a diverse range of sports facilities within a compact footprint. The 7,500 m² interior includes a competition gymnasium, climbing and bouldering walls, a trampoline, a pump track, and an indoor soccer field, alongside table tennis and billiards. The design adheres to cost-efficiency parameters established by a leading German youth travel organization, ensuring accessibility while maintaining a high standard of amenities.
A defining feature of the design is the transparent internal promenade—an open ramp that functions as both a circulation route and a social axis. This “wooden dome” extends to an internal height of 17 meters, linking the basement sports facilities with the upper accommodation levels and attic. Along its trajectory, the ramp generates varied spatial experiences, incorporating hammocks, built-in seating niches, and communal root tables that serve as spectator seating or informal gathering areas.
The material approach embraces a philosophy of raw authenticity. Cross-laminated timber dominates the construction, complemented by selectively applied sheet steel, resulting in a robust yet refined architectural expression. Except for elements in direct contact with the ground, the entire structure is realized as solid timber. The use of untreated wood surfaces imparts a tactile and expressive character, earning it the nickname “oversized pine room” among its users. Sustainable material strategies include repurposing lime plywood offcuts into furniture and reusing wooden pallets from construction as ski racks.
Technical installations remain exposed, and structural details are intentionally left visible, reinforcing an aesthetic of unembellished honesty. The exterior, clad in larch, allows the building to integrate into the sloping terrain, reducing its perceived mass from the street. A mid-level entrance enhances accessibility and spatial flow, facilitating seamless movement throughout the structure. At the heart of the project, the expansive village square functions as a communal hub, accommodating group activities and social interactions. The two lateral wings, integrated into the landscape through vegetation, guide visitor circulation, leading guests into reception areas and distributing them across eight dining halls designed as base camps for different travel groups.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Hochkrimml 244, 5743 Krimml, Salzburg, Austria
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
