Contemplative and striking
The Patscherkofelbahn ropeway runs from Innsbruck-Igls up to Patscherkofel mountain. Built in 1928 as a reversible aerial tramway, it was replaced by a monocable aerial tramway with a slightly modified route in 2017. The new construction of the valley, middle and top stations follows a holistic approach and aims at developing clean, confident station buildings. In distinctive landscapes, building is determined by the juxtaposition of a certain typology with the actual topography at hand; it is also always a statement on the site, its significance, history and the expectations lying on it. In former times, this typology relied on the resources that were available and applicable at an exposed location like this. In this case, today, the typology is based on the technical necessities of ropeway technology.
The new buildings’ main characteristics, represented in clear structures of vertical and horizontal elements, derive from their functional requirements. Massive reinforced concrete bodies contrast with larch wood elements, while expansive horizontal glazing opens the buildings up to their vast surroundings. Concrete provides a robust shell and is particularly suitable for alpine construction. The interior, on the other hand, is dominated by materials with “soft” qualities such as wood (local varieties like ash, spruce and Swiss stone pine exclusively).
The project does not convey the provisional and ostensibly commercial character of comparable facilities, even if it serves similar purposes. Located close to a city like Innsbruck, places like this also have a vital social function; they have the potential of serving as an integrative point of identification, of encouraging a sense of place and identity that reaches far beyond the actual topographical context.
Valley station
The main structures, set off against each other, create outdoor areas of high quality and varying character north and south. The basement has a spacious forecourt with access to ski school and shop area. On the ground floor, an assembly/meeting area in front of restaurant, ticket office and shop leads to the ascent. Distances are kept short and functions distinctive. The ground floor of the eastern building houses ropeway engineering and technology and the company’s operating rooms (offices, administration, side rooms, with separate access).
Middle station
As the technical heart of Patscherkofelbahn, the middle station accommodates engineering and technology, the ropeway’s drive system and gondola garages. Following its function, the strong, technical building exudes simplicity and efficiency.
Top station
The top station with its clean, consistent design is striking in its simplicity. The restaurant with covered terrace and views of the breathtaking surroundings is located to the southwest, accessible from the centrally located kitchen via short distances. The ropeway operating facilities, a space for the avalanche commission and various utility rooms are located to the east. A small shop is situated directly at the visitors’ main route.
Materials
The outer shells in dark-coloured concrete show an interplay of subtle gradations of smooth and milled surfaces. For the wooden elements, natural planed larch is used vertically, and natural rough-cut larch horizontally.
Stone floors in the interior made of Trentino Porphyry, wooden floors from planed spruce/polished pine. Furniture series of tables, chairs and bar stools in untreated solid ash, designed for Patscherkofel exclusively.
Material Used :
Construction
-Solid structure with interior insulation
-Concrete surface, casted/milled
Interior
-Floors: Trentino porphyry/ash
-Walls: planed spruce, sanded Swiss stone pine
-Ceilings: planed spruce
-Heating geothermal heat pump/electric
-Glazing post and beam construction with larch screening, triple glazing
-Façade slatted façade from natural/planed larch
-Roofing two-layered bitumen waterproofing with gravel
