The Roof Cortina: a retreat suspended between tradition and vision

In the heart of the Queen of the Dolomites, on the fourth floor of La Cooperativa di Cortina, The Roof Cortina comes to life: a bistrot and lounge bar where contemporary architecture, Ampezzo heritage, and culinary excellence meet a deep sense of responsibility toward the landscape and its environment.

Designed by Carlo Saccardo of B69 Architetti in Vicenza together with Cortina architect Maurizio Mattioni, the project transforms a former storage space into a panoramic living room where every detail speaks of the territory. Expansive windows open onto the Dolomites — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009 — celebrating their beauty and unique geological and scenic value.

President Paolo Ghezze adds: “From a former warehouse, we have created a gathering place that continues to interpret the values of the Cooperativa, offering an unparalleled view of the Dolomites.”

The interior draws on local culture, featuring reclaimed wood from a historic Ampezzo barn, crafted by the Menardi carpentry workshop. Broad glazing frames the peaks, while a window shaped like an edelweiss — the emblem of La Cooperativa — creates a poetic dialogue with the landscape.

“The Roof Cortina reflects the spirit of the Cooperativa: a place for meeting, tradition, and the shared identity of Cortina,” explains director Emanuela de Zanna.

Catifa Carta: sustainability and lightness

Central to the space is the Catifa Carta chair, featuring a PaperShell shell made from recycled paper fibers. Its circular design approach — making it the first shell chair with a carbon-negative profile — expresses a refined balance of aesthetics and responsibility, perfectly attuned to its surroundings.

Defined by an essential silhouette and a sense of visual lightness, Catifa Carta elevates the interplay of material and light that characterizes the bistrot’s interior.

“The synergy between architecture, hospitality, and a sustainable design approach is a source of great pride,” notes chef and manager Graziano Prest.

The shell is made entirely of PaperShell: 29 layers of responsibly sourced paper bound with a natural resin create a durable material capable of reducing environmental impact by sequestering carbon dioxide. At the end of its life cycle, Catifa Carta can be transformed through pyrolysis into biochar — a plant-based charcoal that stores carbon and restores fertility to the soil. A gesture that completes the material’s circular journey, renewing the link between design, nature, and the future.

Environmental, ethical, and social responsibility shape Arper’s vision. Catifa Carta embodies this ethos — a tangible symbol of our commitment to a conscious, circular economy.