museum's glazed facade offers panoramic views of mount elmo in italy

museum's glazed facade offers panoramic views of mount elmo in italy

Plasma Studio Transforms former Cable Car Station into Museum

 

Design practice Plasma Studio has undertaken the conversion and revitalization of the former mountain station of the Sesto/Sexten cable car on Monte Elmo, Italy, resulting in the Messner Mountain Museum – MMM Roca. The project emphasizes the preservation of the existing technical structure, maintaining its industrial character while integrating new elements such as structural reinforcements and a panoramic glazed facade. The goal is to repurpose broken components whenever feasible, aligning with an upcycling concept to minimize waste. The museum‘s narrative unfolds as visitors traverse the route through the renovated cable car station, with a deliberate focus on showcasing views of the Dolomites. The MMM Roca not only serves as a cultural space but also embraces an environmentally conscious approach by repurposing materials and avoiding unnecessary demolition.

museum's glazed facade offers panoramic views of mount elmo in italy
all images by Harald Wisthaler – courtesy of Messner Mountain Museum

 

 

MMM Roca integrates into the surrounding topography

 

In addition to preserving the technical features, the project aims to create a tranquil environment around the museum. The integration of the structure into the surrounding topography is prioritized, and smaller roof structures are replaced with a spacious landscape roof accessible to the public. The design seeks a balance between minimal intervention and essential modifications, ensuring the architectural language remains self-assured throughout the transformation process. For MMM Roca, the design team at Plasma Studio thoughtfully repurposes structural elements, while maintaining its architectural identity.

museum's glazed facade offers panoramic views of mount elmo in italy
Plasma Studio revitalizes Monte Elmo cable car station giving rise to the Messner Mountain Museum

museum's glazed facade offers panoramic views of mount elmo in italy
the design focuses on preserving the existing structure’s industrial character

museum's glazed facade offers panoramic views of mount elmo in italy
the museum’s narrative unfolds along a route through the renovated station, showcasing Dolomite views

mmm-roca-museum-plasma-studio-italy-designboom-1800-2

a tranquil setting is a priority as the project integrates the structure into the surrounding topography

museum's glazed facade offers panoramic views of mount elmo in italy
smaller roof structures make way for a spacious landscape roof, now accessible to the public

mmm-roca-museum-plasma-studio-italy-designboom-1800-3

MMM Roca embraces environmental consciousness through material repurposing and demolition avoidance

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