You don't have to look far for inspiration in Bregenzwald, Austria. Each of the region's 23 charming villages spread across Vorarlberg in the western Austrian Alps has its own myriad of rivers, rolling mountains and picturesque valleys, lovingly tended by local farmers. But what makes this area extraordinary are the forests and what the artisans have made of them.
The inhabitants of this region, known as the Bregenzerwälder, are famous throughout the country for their pursuit of culinary excellence. However, the determination to live in harmony with nature combined with centuries of impressive design in each ancient city is what really sets these cities apart, especially in the areas of interior design and architecture. Here, in fact, carpentry has been a tradition since the 17th century.
For design-conscious Bregenzerwelder residents like architect Georg Bechter, who hails from the village of Hittissau, woodworking represents a sacred communion with their neighbors, an infectious collective effort to accurately reflect the beauty that surrounds them. "If a neighbor does it and the result becomes a topic of conversation in the community, the neighbor doesn't hesitate to build with wood," says Bechter. Thanks to the local culture of moving forward and doing better, beautiful and appropriate wooden architecture has become the norm.
Thus, the tradition that started as a simple secondary source of income for farmers has become a business card of the district. The ornate wooden facades that have characterized these villages for centuries, made by hand from local species such as beech, fir, fir or elm, have somehow survived to this day. Despite its raw or unpainted elements, these tiles are affordable, durable and have proven to be highly effective in insulating against both heat and cold. First of all, they are simply amazing to look at.
From the modest Salgenreuthe Chapel, which reflects the serenity of the surrounding mountains, to private homes, hotels, the local fire station and the award-winning Frauenmuseum Hittisau, a museum dedicated to the cultural achievements of women, these timeless modern structures transcend time. . designed to evoke the warmth of wood and the tranquility of nature.
Growing up among natural resources had an inevitable and lasting effect on the carpenters of Bregenzwald. By doing their work with respect, these artisans understand that they have a great responsibility to future generations in protecting the riches of the region in which they live. "Every electrician, every carpenter has a great feeling for beautiful things," says Peter Fetz, a 10th-generation Bregenzerwalder. "All these pieces of the puzzle in turn form an ecosystem that preserves quality and beauty."
Operating across Europe, from London to Paris, Fetz continues the important tradition of running the family-run historic Hotel Hirschen in the village of Schwarzenberg. Since 1755, Hirschen impresses with its undulating tiled facade, rustic walls and smooth parquet floors. The hotel's modern atmosphere would not exist without its rich and proud past, and neither would the cuisine offered in the restaurant, which constantly strives to combine local ingredients and traditional recipes in innovative ways.
According to Markus Feist, a carpenter at the innovative Holz werkstatt in Hittissau, it is this contrast that is important. For Faist, "this is folklore, not antiquity." "It's about taking that tradition and creating something for today that fits the modern world we live in," he said.
A visit to Werkraum Bregenzerwald, a collective of around 100 artisans from the region, also serves as a showcase for their projects, highlighting how designers approach tradition in order to transcend their history and boundaries. In shops and cafes, visitors can admire local cosmetics, taste regional products or buy handmade products. They can also browse Bregenzwald's largest collection of design literature in the on-site bookstore or learn about the latest news and innovations in the field through the constantly updated exhibition calendar.
Whatever they do, visitors will leave with an appreciation for a precious material that continues to define Bregenzwald's past, present and future: wood. Bregenzerwalder knew that without these plants and the ancient forests where they were harvested, they would be lost. "I like to work with wood that I can hug like a tree," Bechter says. From villages to forests - beauty for us.
Although the Bregenzwald area may seem remote, it is relatively easy to get to. International visitors can reach the area by train from major cities such as Zurich, Innsbruck or Munich, while there are many buses and trains from all over Europe to cities such as Bregenz, Dornbirn, Feldkirch and Bludenz.
For more information about this unique region, visit www.austria.info/afar .
