Messner Mountain Museum Corones

“Located at the top of Mount Kronplatz with its unique views of the Dolomites, MMM Corones is the final piece in my series of mountain museums. Dedicated to the great rock faces of the world, the museum will focus on the discipline of mountaineering,“ explains Reinhold Messner. Inaugurated in 2003, the Concordia 2000 Peace Bell was the first step in combining cultural facilities with the sporting and recreational amenities at Mount Kronplatz. The MMM Corones adds a further cultural and educational element to this popular Alpine destination. A composition of fluid, interconnected volumes, the 1000 sq. m. MMM Corones design is carved within the mountain and informed by the geology and topography of its context. A sharp glass canopy, like a fragment of glacial ice, rises from the rock to mark and protect the museum’s entrance. A cascading ramp connects the exhibition spaces and creates dynamic volumes of circulation throughout three levels of temporary exhibitions, presentation areas and a small auditorium, enabling the museum to showcase its permanent exhibition together with objects, images and tools from Messner’s archive. MMM Corones will offer 240-degree views across expansive mountain landscapes that include the Zillertal Alps, the Dolomites and the Marmolada glacier. Glazed apertures and viewing balcony are specifically oriented to ensure the museum’s interiors are primarily naturally lit while also maintaining the design’s labyrinthine trajectory within the mountain; incorporating and expressing the power of the natural tectonic system it is a part of. By immersing the built spaces inside the mountain, the museum maintains an almost constant internal temperature.