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From July 11 to 13, Cortina d’Ampezzo hosted the third edition of Cortina Design Weekend, an event where design, architecture, art, and environment meet to foster new and regenerative visions of mountain spaces. Organized by the Cortina for Us association in collaboration with the Municipality of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the event enlivened the city center with meetings, lectures, and side initiatives, taking participants on a journey to discover the region’s diverse realities.
The central theme, “CAPSULES – Exploratory Modules for Mountain Space”, developed as an invitation to reflect on the meaning of the concept of “capsule,” understood as a permeable membrane, a connective space capable of creating networks among diverse elements. This "container" was interpreted as a tool for evolution and adaptation, capable of hosting functions, demands, and knowledge. In this context, capsules were seen as spaces of transformation, instruments of exploration and innovation that continuously reshape our relationship with the landscape.
The three-day event opened with an inauguration at the Audi Lounge on Corso Italia 142, attended by prominent figures such as Councillor Giorgio Da Rin, Christian Siorpaes, and Gianluca D’Incà Levis, creator and curator of Dolomiti Contemporanee, an initiative working to recover and repurpose disused natural and man-made sites.
This was followed by a session titled “Open Capsule. Totipotent Cell. Integrated Module” held at the Culture Hall in the Post Office Building and moderated by D’Incà Levis. Artists and designers including Eric Balzan, Martino Gamper, and Mattia Marzaro shared their insights and experiences, going beyond commercial products to explore deeper notions of design and research.
Eric Balzan, founder of Hapter, explained how his brand is inspired by mountains and high-altitude living to create sustainable collections that merge function, aesthetics, and environmental respect. Martino Gamper, with his concept of the “mobility object,” demonstrated how even a chair can become a module for social relations and creativity, encouraging reuse and regeneration of space. Mattia Marzaro, professor at the University of Trieste, challenges traditional spatial interpretations by assigning his students creative spatial themes—such as building a squirrel’s home—to provoke reflection on perception and representation of the world.
In the afternoon, participants visited the photographic exhibition “Infrastructure Landscape” and the installation “Capsule-Boulder”, designed by Mattia Menardi Menego and Edoardo Turozzi. Developed in collaboration with local entities including Regola di Cortina d’Ampezzo, Wood Art carpentry, FederlegnoArredo, Liceo Artistico di Cortina, Beck Fastening, ITS Engineering, Cortina 360, Rasom Wood Technology, and Soltech, the structure was conceived as an organic form—climbable outside and habitable inside. It serves as a concrete example of a “capsule” as a totipotent cell, a tool for exploring and engaging with natural space.
Located in Piazza Roma, the photo exhibition documents landscape transformations in the Boite Valley related to construction for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics. Produced by Dolomiti Contemporanee and Cortina for Us, the visual archive encourages reflection on the relationship between humans, the landscape, and sustainable development. A related editorial project includes a series of postcards featuring photographs of key sites: the Ice Stadium, Cortina’s center, Largo delle Poste, Ponte Cadore, and the new connection infrastructure with the Belluno area.
Saturday opened with the session “Wood, Building, Living. Wood as a Construction Material: From Ground Contact to Roof”, curated by Riwega in collaboration with Lattoneria Schiavon. It explored various wood construction methods, their advantages and future challenges, including regulatory and sustainability aspects.
The day concluded with a roundtable organized by THE PLAN, titled “Architectures for Hospitality and Landscape Infrastructures: Innovation and Tradition for Sustainable Renewal.” Moderated by Francesco Chiamulera, founder of Una Montagna di Libri, the panel included: Ambra Piccin (Ambra Piccin Architetto), Matteo Scagnol and Sandy Attia (MoDus), Edoardo Gherardi (Gherardi Architetti), Giovanni La Varra (Barreca & La Varra) and Matteo De Bellis (Architect and Photographer).
The discussion served as a forum to rethink alpine infrastructure with a focus on sustainable, innovative solutions harmonized with the natural landscape—bridging avant-garde ideas with tradition.
>>> Dicover more of the talk cureted by THE PLAN
Photography by Manaz Productions, courtesy of Cortina for Us
