Felder Alpin

The Felderhof has stood on this mountainside since the 11th century. Originally a traditional South Tyrolean farmstead, the protected complex consists of the farmhouse and its old hay barn; parts of the main house are more than 500 years old, while the barn retains an exceptionally rare traditional thatched roof — one of only a handful still surviving in South Tyrol.

Its latest chapter began with Tom Erlacher, who grew up in nearby Villanders and describes himself as a Dorfmensch — a village person. Drawn to old buildings and traditional South Tyrolean architecture, he bought the farm and then did something rather extraordinary: he lived in the old farmhouse for almost ten years without electricity or central heating.

Rather than replacing it with a contemporary chalet, Erlacher gradually adapted the farm around what was already there. A largely subterranean private house was added behind the historic buildings in 2015, while Perathoner Architects oversaw the restoration of the farmhouse into Felder Alpin Lodge in 2021. Ancient stone, timber and vaulted rooms remain alongside local craftsmanship, antiques and more contemporary pieces collected by Erlacher on his travels.

Preservation here begins with the Felderhof itself. Rather than rebuilding the farm as a conventional luxury chalet, its thick stone walls, historic structure and centuries-old agricultural buildings have been retained, including the exceptionally rare thatched barn.

The newer architecture was deliberately positioned largely underground behind the historic farmstead, while the 2021 restoration by Perathoner Architects worked with its existing rural architecture. Local materials and craftsmanship sit alongside Erlacher's collected pieces rather than replacing the building's original identity.

Just as importantly, Felder Alpin treats living traditions as heritage too — connecting guests with local farmers, crafts, recipes and mountain practices so that South Tyrolean culture is encountered through the people who continue it.