Ersilia Botanic Bistrot in the Arte Sella park
A project within the Arte Sella park that combines local identity, advanced construction systems, and harmony with the surrounding Alpine landscape.
Project: Extension of Ersilia Botanic Bistrot – Arte Sella park
Location: Borgo Valsugana, Trento, Italy
Architectural Design: Arch. Nicola Chiavarelli
Technical-Scientific Consulting: Prof. Marco Imperadori, Politecnico di Milano
Isopan Solutions: ADDWind System, Isofire Roof MW panel thickness 170 mm
Manni Sipre Products: Cut and welded beams
The extension of the Ersilia Botanic Bistrot was conceived as a response to the growing influx of visitors that has characterized Arte Sella in recent years. Arte Sella is an international art park in Trentino-Alto Adige that blends contemporary art and Alpine nature, hosting site-specific installations immersed in the landscape. The building is located near the entrance to the park, thus becoming a welcoming hub for visitors.
The project was developed with careful attention to both the landscape context and functional needs, seeking a balance between traditional construction and advanced technological solutions. The extension sits alongside the original building, which was organized around the kitchen and service rooms, with a new linear volume housing the bar and restaurant. This made it possible to redistribute spaces and increase seating capacity without compromising the building’s identity.
The design takes inspiration from traditional mountain architecture: simple forms, a gable roof, and essential proportions, with a color palette echoing the earthy tones of the site, thus integrating with the mountain landscape. A guiding principle was the relationship with natural light: large glazed surfaces on the walls and roof open the interiors to the outside, ensuring brightness and a strong visual continuity with the surroundings.
The construction exploits off-site systems that shorten building times while ensuring high performance. The main structure combines cross-laminated timber (XLAM Dolomiti), serving as both load-bearing and bracing elements, with frames made of pre-fabricated steel beams supplied by Steelior, the Manni Sipre division specialized in finished steel structures ready for direct on-site assembly.
From an energy perspective, the north-facing orientation required careful design. The walls and roof were built as ventilated systems, using 170 mm Isopan insulated panels with rock wool insulation—a solution that guarantees thermal protection, acoustic comfort, and fire resistance.
For the façade, the ADDWind ventilated façade system by Isopan was employed, applied on profiled steel panels fixed to metal profiles and laminated timber protected by a breathable membrane. The final cladding consists of lime and cocciopesto plaster, laid over mineralized wood wool boards (Celenit), achieving a result that blends traditional materials with modern performance.
The roof follows the same ventilation principle: above the insulated panels lies a wooden boarding that supports a zinc-titanium laminate (Zintek) roofing system, completing the architectural image of the bistrot with a durable material of refined aesthetics.
The extension of the Ersilia Botanic Bistrot is a successful example of how architectural design can merge local historical identity, technical innovation, and sustainability. The use of advanced construction solutions such as off-site technologies, together with the choice of natural and traditional materials, has made it possible to create a building in harmony with the landscape while also ensuring comfort, energy efficiency, and a high-quality experience for visitors.
