Cliffhanger: Zaha Hadid’s Messner Mountain Museum is carved into Mount Kronplatz

The Messner Mountain Museum is Zaha Hadid's 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
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director 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), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
All-In is the Paris-based label making full-force fashion for main character dressing
Part of our monthly Uprising series, Wallpaper* meets Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø of All-In, the LVMH Prize-nominated label which bases its collections on a riotous cast of characters – real and imagined
By Orla Brennan
-
Maserati joins forces with Giorgetti for a turbo-charged relationship
Announcing their marriage during Milan Design Week, the brands unveiled a collection, a car and a long term commitment
By Hugo Macdonald
-
Through an innovative new training program, Poltrona Frau aims to safeguard Italian craft
The heritage furniture manufacturer is training a new generation of leather artisans
By Cristina Kiran Piotti
-
2026 Olympic and Paralympic Torches: in Carlo Ratti's minimalism ‘the flame is the protagonist’
The 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Torches for the upcoming Milano Cortina Games have been revealed, designed by architect Carlo Ratti to highlight the Olympic flame
By Ellie Stathaki
-
Anni Albers' weaving magic offers a delightful 2-in-1 modernist showcase in Milan
A Milan Design Week showcase of Anni Albers’ weaving work, brought to life by Dedar with the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation, brings visitors to modernist icon, the BBPR-designed Torre Velasca
By Ellie Stathaki
-
Milan Design Week: ‘A Beat of Water’ highlights the power of the precious natural resource
‘A Beat of Water’ by BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group and Roca zooms in on water and its power – from natural element to valuable resource, touching on sustainability and consumption
By Ellie Stathaki
-
This Milan Design Week installation invites you to tread barefoot inside a palazzo
At Palazzo Litta, Moscapartners and Byoung Cho launch a contemplative installation on the theme of migration
By Ellie Stathaki
-
The Yale Center for British Art, Louis Kahn’s final project, glows anew after a two-year closure
After years of restoration, a modernist jewel and a treasure trove of British artwork can be seen in a whole new light
By Anna Fixsen
-
The upcoming Zaha Hadid Architects projects set to transform the horizon
A peek at Zaha Hadid Architects’ future projects, which will comprise some of the most innovative and intriguing structures in the world
By Anna Solomon
-
You’ll soon be able to get a sneak peek inside Peter Zumthor’s LACMA expansion
But you’ll still have to wait another year for the grand opening
By Anna Fixsen
-
NYC's The New Museum announces an OMA-designed extension
OMA partners including Rem Koolhas and Shohei Shigematsu are designing a new building for Manhattan's only dedicated contemporary art museum
By Anna Solomon