Just as raindrops begin their journey to the sea, a new vantage point emerges: the observation deck atop the Schnals Valley Glacier offers a breathtaking panorama that refreshes the soul. Perched on the glacier ridge, this extraordinary spot reveals Italy’s towering alpine landscape, with the reservoir below and Austria just beyond the border. Here, at this unique geographical crossroads, fate decides whether each drop of glacial water will flow into the Mediterranean or the Black Sea.
Journey to the Summit
The Grawand Hotel stands at the peak of this mountain, over 3000 meters high, making it one of Europe’s highest-altitude hotels. The summit lies just 50 meters away, a stone’s throw from the hotel. Cloaked in pristine snow, the mountaintop offers a timeless vista. Climbers and skiers alike are drawn here to immerse themselves in the raw beauty of nature—the rugged terrain, the crisp air, and the pure mountain climate.
A Trailblazing Design
To offer visitors staying long-term and local herders roaming the area a chance not only to experience the grandeur of the mountain station but also to engage with its rich history, NOA designed a distinctive structure.
The observation deck rests on a lightweight steel framework built to withstand the weather. This modern yet harmonious design integrates seamlessly with the mountain landscape. The platform touches the ground only where structurally necessary, creating an almost floating structure that blends into the peaks and invites visitors to breathe freely.
A Fresh Perspective
The platform is designed to follow the natural terrain, featuring a flat grid supported by slender beams and clad in vertical, thin weather-resistant steel plates. Vertical elements, reaching parapet height, curve smoothly along the platform’s edges. This creates a captivating effect: as visitors move, views alternately open and close, revealing new perspectives continuously. This dynamic experience immerses visitors fully, inviting moments of pause that outshine any souvenir.
A Moment in Time
Embedded within the undulating observation deck is a funnel-shaped structure that guides visitors’ gaze toward the timeless landscape—the discovery site of the Ice Man, Oates. Situated just meters from the Austrian border, the ‘Sight Funnel’ offers an informative and carefully crafted visual journey toward the Ice Man. Constructed from weather-resistant steel like the slender plates along the railing, the dark hues of brown, gray, and black harmonize with the environment. At the funnel’s end, a glass railing creates an exhilarating sensation of flight, as if you are walking on air.
Design Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ East Elevation View
△ West Elevation View
△ North Elevation View
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Project Type: Landscape Installation
Location: Senales, Italy
Architect: noa * network of architecture
Area: 80 m²
Year: 2020
Photographer: Alex Filz
Client: Schnalstaler Gletscherbahn AG
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