Smartvoll, a Vienna-based architectural studio, presents the “Land Ahoy!” project, a restaurant and hotel planned on the outskirts of Lake Graz, Austria. This design was submitted as a final entry in an international competition and is situated within the leisure area of Thalersee Lake. Given that Austrian lakes, forests, and mountains are central to the country’s recreational activities, the studio chose to place the project on the water surface, away from the shore, to highlight the natural ambiance of the environment.
Replacing the abandoned buildings along the shoreline, Smartvoll’s “Land Ahoy” proposal restores the coast to its natural state, returning the space to the public instead of filling it with new construction. “At its best, architecture can positively transform and enrich places,” says Viola Habicher of Smartvoll Studio. “Especially in times of crisis, architects should create iconic leisure and entertainment spaces that people eagerly anticipate.”
The decision to shift the new development from the shore onto the lake itself responds to a concerning decline in public lake usage, caused by decades of unregulated privatization of Austria’s lake shores. This trend has limited public access and enjoyment of these natural assets for most people.
The unique design of “Land Ahoy” transforms the building into an immersive experience, enhancing the recreational and entertainment value of the lake area. From the land side, the structure partially replaces the old building with a subtle, integrated hill acting as a natural dam. A large incision in this hill forms the entrance, connecting the lakeside restaurant and hotel via an underwater tunnel.
“Entering the circular hall in the lake through the underwater tunnel creates a truly unique experience,” explains Philipp Buxbaum of Smartvoll Studio. “As you reach the tunnel’s end, you are surrounded entirely by water, fully immersed in the lake environment. Since our focus is on leisure and entertainment, we believe that building experiences should extend beyond simply offering food and accommodation.”
On the lake, Smartvoll designed a pedestrian bridge featuring a circular ramp, which encloses a private courtyard formed by the surrounding high-rise buildings. This design provides visitors with various recreational options, including swimming, boat rentals, and ice skating during winter. At the ramp’s end, a restaurant offers visitors a stunning panoramic view of the lake, showcasing the revitalized natural shoreline.
△ Plan view
△ Plan view
△ Plan view
△ General layout plan
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Function analysis diagram
Existing venue
△ Shoreline restoration at the lake
△ Streamline analysis
△ Site context and project surroundings
Project Information:
Project Name: Land Ahoy
Architectural Firm: Smartvoll Architects | Instagram
Location: Thalersee Lake, Graz, Austria
Design Team: Viola Habicher, Michael Knoll, Dimitar Gamizov, Philipp Buxbaum, Christian Kircher
Project Type: Restaurant, Hotel, Adaptable Architecture, Landscape Design
Area: 1,230 sqm / 13,240 sq ft
Rendering: Matthias Bank
Model: Scalamatta
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