At the summit of Plan de Corones in the Kronplatz region of South Tyrol, the Lumen Museum celebrates the history and present of mountain photography. Designed by architect Gerhard Mahlknecht of EM2 architects, the building cantilevers out over the Italian Dolomites creating quite the photo opportunity in itself.
The new volume in the landscape communicates with the modern form of the nearby former mountain station of the Kronplatz funicular and the Zaha Hadid-designed Messner Mountain Museum – Reinhold Messner, a renowned climber and mountain pioneer, is also celebrated at Lumen with a permanent exhibition on his work protecting the Alps.
Photography: Marco Zanta
Exploring the breadth of mountain culture from alpinism and tourism, to politics, spirituality and history, Lumen is set across four floors. A journey through the gallery involves climbing staircases that cut through the heart of the building, into spaces of varying ceiling heights that prescribe the function of space from stepped seating areas to long walls displaying photographs. The layered experience of space is echoed in the galleries, each designed for different uses from permanent and temporary exhibitions, to a mirror room that seeks to capture the poetic atmosphere of the mountains.
Exhibition design by GiòForma and graphics by zukunvt, help educate vistors on the photographic pioneers of the mountains across a ‘wall of fame’ including insights into the lives and work of the Tairraz brothers, Bernhard Johannes, Jules Beck and Vittorio Sella considered the first photo-alpinist.
As well as a gallery, Lumen is set to become a cultural establishment and social destination. A new restaurant with views across the Dolomites, AlpiNN, features food by chef Norbert Niederkofler who seeks to capture mountain culture and traditions through local seasonal ingredients, while an event venue with a 200 capacity will create a creative hub for live happenings and culture. §
