Parco Naturale Mont Avic

Locality of Château snc

11020 Champorcher (AO)

Municipality: Champorcher

Region: Valle d'Aosta

The new visitor center of the Mont Avic Nature Park has been built by renovating the "Villa Biamonti", a building dating back to the early 20th century, which was supposed to function as a tourist dwelling, and that the Park bought from the Municipality in 2006. The renovation project aimed at safeguarding the strongest and most typical elements of the building, interpreting in terms of modernity some of its typical features, such as the use of wood in the indoor areas and the fluidity distribution of the structure. The part of the building that was originally situated underground has been emphasized by covering the present ground floor with Corten steel plates, and by placing the reception desk's glass opening in an eccentric way compared with the general symmetry of the facade.
Within the building, the vertical and not overlapping connections create a unitary, continuous and flowing space, which is highlighted by the detachment of the horizontal structure from the perimeter walls; the strategically placed holes allow to mark the different levels. The museum route is captivating, with luminous and shadowy spaces, that are very useful for exhibitions and video shows.