VERGALDERIE
The Vergalderie is located in the small mountain village of Gargellen, nestled in a side valley of the Montafon region at an altitude of 1,530 meters. The tranquil, minimalist structure, topped with a simple gable roof, houses three holiday apartments for short-term stays and a central gallery space for contemporary art.
The concept of combining mountain tourism and art unites the owners various passions and appeals to a discerning clientele with an affinity for architecture and art, as well as an interest in mountain sports, particularly ski touring.
The facade stones were painstakingly hand-picked over several years from areas of natural erosion in the immediate vicinity and are 100% sourced from the Montafon region. The spruce roof shingles are also locally produced.
The building's architectural inspiration comes from the high-alpine protective structures encountered on ski tours in the upper Gargellen Valley. In these remote locations, the only available building material was the stones lying around, while in the Montafon valley floor, natural stone masonry has no established tradition, and there are no quarries.
The apartments on the upper floor are designed as alpine lofts with open floor plans. The bathroom stands like a large piece of furniture in the room, and the entire apartment can be experienced as a single, open space. Large openings in the more than 80 cm thick exterior walls offer impressive views of the landscape.
The interior design prioritizes authentic and breathable materials. Rough-sawn white fir was used for the paneling on the walls and ceiling, and the floor is made of rough-sawn ash. The walls are finished with a thick layer of lime plaster that regulates humidity.
The gallery space was created to provide a suitable setting for an extensive collection of works by the Vorarlberg sculptor Herbert Albrecht. The gallery also serves as a reception area and social space.
