Cliffhanger: Zaha Hadid’s Messner Mountain Museum is carved into Mount Kronplatz
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

The Messner Mountain Museum (opens in new tab) is Zaha Hadid's (opens in new tab) third project in the Alps, following her seminal Bergisel Ski Jump - a project that despite its relatively small scale has been landmark in the architect's early career - and the 2007 Norpark Cable railway station, both in Innsbruck. The architect's new alpine adventure, officially inaugurated this month, is equally fairly modest in scale, but not ambition. it is also unashamedly modern, featuring the office's signature architecture curves.
Masterfully carved into the top of Mount Kronplatz, some 2,275m above sea level, this new museum dedicated to mountain climbing sits at the heart of South Tyrol's most popular ski resort in the Dolomites. This is the sixth and final such museum created in collaboration with renowned mountaineer Reinhold Messner - the existing ones in Firmian, Dolomites, Juval, Ripa and Ortles are scattered across the region, designed by different architects.
Hadid's Messner Mountain Museum in Corones is embedded into the ground across 1,000 sq m, with three periscope-like element made of glass-reinforced fibre concrete jutting out from the hill, indicating its presence. Large windows at each end frame the mountain views, bringing plenty of natural light deep into the structure. The building spans three main levels, including ample exhibition space, offices and a cinema. Its 40-50cm thick walls and 70cm thick roof support the earth around it and protect it from the harsh winters.
The displays present the development of modern mountaineering and 250 years of progress in terms of the climbers' equipments. The architecture team aimed to take the visitors into a journey inside the mountain's grottos, Hadid explains, before leading them out to the terrace on the opposite side, at the lowest level, to experience panoramic views of the region.
The museum is a mirror of the world of my childhood,' says Messner. 'The Geislerspitzen, the central buttress of the Heiligkreuzkofel (the most difficult climb in my whole life) and the glaciated granite mountains of the Ahrn Valley.'
Surrounded by the famous peaks of the Zillertal, Ortler and Dolomites, the new Messner Mountain Museum is immersed into its surroundings, at one with its rocky context.
The striking project is embedded into the top of the area's Mount Kronplatz.
Three concrete elements jut out of the mountain's side, marking the museum's presence
Equipped with large openings, these elements help bring plenty of natural light, deep into the building.
The structure includes ample space for exhibitions, as well as offices and a cinema.
The interiors feature the office's signature architectural curves.
Internally, the concrete structure spans three main levels.
At the building's one end, the visitors can go out to a terrace that offers panoramic views of the mountainous surroundings
The museum celebrates mountaineering and the technological achievements revolving around climbers' equipment
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture Editor at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018) and Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020).
-
Venice Biennale 2024: a guide to the artists announced so far
Keep up-to-date with our ongoing list of who’s representing who at the Venice Biennale 2024 – here's what we know so far
By Martha Elliott • Published
-
New Nike book is an inspirational handbook for the next generation of creatives and athletes
New Nike book, ‘After all, there is No Finish Line’, features eye-catching black-and-white imagery and speculative fiction and essays that ponder design, innovation and sport
By Pei-Ru Keh • Published
-
Sophie Bille Brahe interprets the signet ring with a new initials jewellery
Sophie Bille Brahe’s new initials jewellery is ‘a personal way to express an eternal feeling of love’
By Tilly Macalister-Smith • Published
-
Venice Architecture Biennale 2023: who, when, and what to look forward to
As we start gearing up for the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, we explore what's in store for visitors at the world's famous celebration of building design
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
The finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond
Can’t get enough of brutalism? Neither can we. Scroll below, for some of the world's finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
The Fendi factory in Tuscany disappears into the landscape
The new Fendi Factory in Italy, set in the rolling hills of Tuscany, is the brainchild of Milan architecture studio Piuarch and the luxury brand
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Step inside the dramatic Cava Arcari by David Chipperfield
Cava Arcari by David Chipperfield reimagines a series of caves outside Vicenza as a multifunctional event space
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Rinascente is reborn in Rome’s Piazza Fiume courtesy of design studio 2050+
Rinascente in Piazza Fiume, Rome gets a makeover by Milan-based interdisciplinary design agency 2050+
By David Plaisant • Published
-
This Sicilian villa brings contemporary architecture to the foot of Mount Etna
L House is a modern Sicilian villa in perfect sync with its surroundings, designed by London-based architecture practice Transit Studio
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Sydney Modern opens its doors and reveals immersive SANAA architecture
SANAA’s Sydney Modern opens its doors to the public in Australia
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Take the ultimate Carlo Scarpa tour of Venice
A Carlo Scarpa tour to end all tours; join our survey of modernist buildings by the Italian midcentury master in and around Venice
By Natasha Levy • Last updated