Stone - an element of transience
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The philosophy of FORESTIS is based on four fundamental reasons. They were decisive for the fact that the Austrian monarchy wanted to build a large pulmonary sanatorium here in Palmschoß in 1912.
One of these reasons is the extraordinary water quality. The spring water of the Plose comes from 50 m above the FORESTIS. Since prehistoric time, it has pushed its way through the rock layers of the Ploseberg, preserving a purity that is unique in Europe. It is this rock that gives the architectural concept of FORESTIS the impulse for the first chapter of this story.
By taking stone – specifically dolomite stone – as an element, FORESTIS has selected a local material that contains a power that has evolved over millions of years. While untreated natural stone has traditionally characterized the surrounding areas – think of the foundations of rustic Alpine farmhouses – FORESTIS uses purely naturally processed dolomite to create a timeless architecture: the ancient warmth of the stone radiates into the room to produce a completely new tone in combination with the clean appearance of the smooth surfaces.
To produce these closed, sleek surfaces of pure natural stone, blocks of dolomite are crushed in a mill, where they are ground to dust and finely sifted. Once mixed together with water and a small amount of equally fine clay soil, the result is a soft, compact mass that can easily be moulded using a spatula and applied while still wet. The dried surfaces are then sealed with wax, giving them a stable, waterproof and particularly hygienic quality.
Dolomite is an indigenous type of rock that runs through almost every room of the hotel: the walls, sinks and bathtubs, pool, spa and restaurant all consist of stylishly prepared dolomite stone that originates from the property of the FORESTIS.
Armin Sader, architect
