To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski resort in Germany, the resort invested in a new suspended chairlift, the Hornbahn 2000 cable car, replacing the old one. They commissioned Snøhetta to design an observation tower atop the cable car service room, creating a landmark that enhances visitors’ mountain experience. This 13-meter-high wooden tower, named “Top of Alpbachtal Valley,” draws its design inspiration from traditional Alpine architectural forms.
Patrick Lüth, Partner and Managing Director of Snøhetta’s Innsbruck office in Austria, explains: “Wooden architecture has a long tradition in the Alpbachtal Valley. We chose to reference this context and create a modern interpretation. By using traditional construction techniques, the architecture prioritizes resource conservation and sustainability. Equally important, our design seeks to engage in a dialogue with the Alpine landscape.”
The wooden structure narrows smoothly toward the top and is clad with wooden tiles crafted by local manufacturers. The panoramic viewing space caters to skiers, snowshoe hikers, resort visitors, and summer climbers alike. Visitors enter the public lounge by passing through the elevator control room located on the concrete base of the tower. This panoramic space, situated on the first floor, is inspired by the traditional Tyrolean farmhouse living room in Austria. Its two-story interior is lined with wooden wall panels, echoing regional design traditions. Above, the open roof structure continues the agricultural construction style typical of the area.
This modern reinterpretation of the Tyrolean farmhouse living room offers visitors a relaxing space featuring a wooden viewing platform with seating. The open gathering area allows guests to enter and exit freely, choosing their preferred spot to rest. Though the building provides shelter from wind and snow, it does not include heating, allowing visitors to enjoy a brief rest without consuming energy. Large observation windows fill the space with natural light and offer breathtaking mountain views. Designed as a keyless open structure, the building reflects the traditional Alpine shelter architecture and is usable year-round.
At the tower’s summit, visitors can enjoy a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the mountains in fresh alpine air. The valley service station, also clad in wooden tiles, nestles harmoniously within the landscape and stands confidently alongside the towering observation tower. Overall, the new Hornbahn 2000 cable car’s supporting buildings are self-contained and thoughtfully respond to their natural surroundings and landscape.
Project Information
Architect: Snøhetta
Area: 316 m²
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Christian Flatscher
Owner: Alpine Mountain Railway
Partner: Cable Car Office DI Andreas Gröbner
Structural Engineering: PlanTEC
Cable Car Planning and Construction Supervision: Kitzbühel
Cable Car Manufacturer: Leitner Ropeways
Location: Alpbach, Austria
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