In the South Tyrolean landscape near Bolzano, a new kind of urban life is taking shape — one that lets architecture and nature grow together. Designed by NOA (Network of Architecture), Renneria reimagines the rhythm of everyday living through a model rooted in sustainability, community, and Alpine calm.
Set on the southeastern edge of Bolzano, the 13-hectare site once housed the 14th-century Maso Renner farm. Today, it is envisioned as a walkable neighborhood of around 800 homes, where movement happens at a slower pace and proximity defines convenience. Streets are shaped for people rather than cars, and greenery weaves through the architecture from tree-lined paths and orchards to rooftop gardens that bring the landscape closer to daily life.
The masterplan revolves around three central squares, each with its own character: places to meet, rest, or gather. Markets, cafés, and workshops open directly onto green courtyards, creating a social fabric that feels organic rather than planned. The buildings, finished with wooden slats and topped with accessible green roofs, follow the natural slope of the terrain blending into the hills instead of standing against them. Renneria embodies what NOA calls “functional proximity”: homes, workplaces, schools, and public spaces all within walking or cycling distance. The result is a compact, human-scale district that celebrates connection between people, and between the built and the natural world.
The project has already drawn international attention as a finalist in the “Future Projects – Urban Design” category at the World Architecture Festival 2025, competing alongside visionary developments from Seattle, Auckland, and Seoul. As founding architect Lukas Rungger explains, “Renneria is a living laboratory — a place where growth, well-being, and environmental awareness move in balance. More than a new neighbourhood, it’s a glimpse into how we might live together in the future quietly, consciously, and in tune with the landscape.
Photos: official press release