Aristocratic Residence to Art hotel: Inside Lasserhaus
Vudafieri-Saverino Partners have restored a 15th-century aristocratic residence to its former glory, reimagining its purpose from a palatial family home to a boutique art hotel.
Commissioned by the Faller family, architects Claudio Saverino and Tiziano Vudafieri have redesigned the two lower floors of Lasserhaus into a 4-star accommodation complete with ten bedrooms: three suites, six doubles, and a single with a demure yet playful atmosphere. Within both the rooms and the common areas, the family’s collection of classical paintings converges with works by contemporary artists, creating a unique retreat for discerning travellers.
As a building listed by the Superintendency for Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape, the architects focused on the dialogue between history and contemporaneity, remaining attentive to the cultural context and respectful of the genius loci. The Milanese studio preserved the original elements of the dwelling while incorporating modern design choices to create juxtaposition throughout.
The ground floor houses the lobby and reception areas, characterised by subtle lighting and adorned with family heirlooms that reflect the building’s rich history. The first four bedrooms and a small library corner branch off from the central foyer, along with a wine cellar featuring an adjoining tasting room. Ascending the internal staircase to the mezzanine floor, guests encounter a spa with sauna and jacuzzi, showcasing the work of Alexander Wierer, whose subject matter explores progressions in time and the transience of the present. The first floor accommodates the breakfast room and the remaining five bedrooms.
While historical features remain central to the design, the rooms have undergone transformations through the use of organic materials. Beechwood and brass embellish the details, while tactile velvet surfaces add a touch of opulence. Although some furniture has been salvaged—such as the carefully restored Tyrolean seating—most pieces have been crafted according to the designer’s vision: wardrobes, partition panels, upholstered headboards, and elegant strips of Larchwood lining the walls.
A carefully chosen colour palette, evocative of autumn woods and mountains, infuses the interiors with life, from the lively green of the laminate to brown hues descending into the burgundy of brushed timber. Artistic interventions further enliven the rooms, including Ingrid Hora's 'Wall Bars,' a large work that stimulates new perspectives and ideas, and 'Thoughts and Planets,' an installation by renowned artist Esther Stocker: ten sculptures seemingly floating in the ceiling vault, dissolving at fixed points due to broken geometries.
Two curators oversee the Lasserhaus art project: Stefanie Prieth for contemporary artworks and Rose Bourdon for compiling the family collection. These artistic interventions mark the beginning of cultural activities stemming from the Lasserhaus opening, from artist residencies to collaborations with cultural institutions and the systematic evolution of the in-house collection.
Architects Tiziano Vudafieri and Claudio Saverino muse, "When we visited Lasserhaus, we were enthusiastic about the idea of tackling the restoration of a building so steeped in history." They go on to add, "It was not just a matter of restoring a fifteenth-century building fully listed by the Superintendency but of giving it a new life and making it a point of interest for locals. By using art, integrating the family's valuable collection of classical paintings with new contemporary works, our project does not neglect the traditional soul of this ancient building. Instead, it respectfully and subtly dialogues with it, enriching it with contemporary languages and materials. Lasserhaus has, in this way, become a small yet important new part of the city's urban life and its propensity for hospitality."
Photo credit: Paolo Valentini.
