"Form Follows Mountain"

What is special about this building project?
 
In their specifications for the new building, Pilatus Railways desired a new point of arrival that links the existing hotel buildings, Pilatus Kulm and Bellevue, in a weather-proof fashion, simultaneously staging the mountain panorama. Also, they demanded that the 1,000 m2 (10,750-sf) hall include a bar and a shop.

A large, public lounge becomes the new center of the existing facilities, with this center gaining a unique and special appeal in the context of the alpine mountain world. We were interested in the urban dimension of this project, in the sense of concentration and the space's multifunctionality. We were never looking for a rustic or mountain-romanticist orientation for this place. As a point of arrival and departure we considered the new panorama gallery like an airport terminal.

How did the site influence your design?
 
The exposed location on the mountain ridge between the two summits of Oberhaupt and Esel possesses various qualities that we wanted to develop. The experience of the panorama, for instance, is a fundamental element in our design. The ascending and descending windows, as well as the decreasing and increasing geometry, support the scenographical qualities of the mountain panorama, the seas of fog and the view of Lucerne. But it was also the immediate rock formation of Mons Fractus, the "broken mountain," as Mount Pilatus was called in the Middle Ages, that inspired us. The protruding and receding concrete form follows the karstic landscape of the Pilatus massif. It ties in with existing material, develops along a rock outcrop, or overhangs at dizzying heights in the sense of "form follows mountain."

How did the client or future users influence your design?
 
The client stated the purpose of the new building clearly in the wording of the building program. We took these requirements very seriously, and they became the foundation of our design. We wanted to create a contemporary place for the desired consumption of our touristically valuable alpine world. We responded to the needs of the client and thus to those of the visitors, leading them into a unique and specific mountain world that can be experienced comfortably in running shoes, not just alpine equipment. It aims to be a memorable place. In this respect the marketing and sales targets of the client are mirrored in the panorama gallery.

How does this project fit in with other projects built by your office?
 
We try to develop all of our buildings as exclusive, non-repeatable answers to the specific projects, since the location, program and client are always unique. In this respect, our projects differ strongly from one another; this is also true of the panorama gallery. Of course, the location has an unbelievable exclusivity paired with a highly public program, resulting in a specific architectural response.

The new building dovetails nicely with the previous works of our studio as far as approach and methodology are concerned. In terms of public perception, this project stands out; this is not surprising, seeing that Mount Pilatus has a global appeal.

What products or materials added to the success of the completed building?
 
The decision to build the panorama gallery in reinforced concrete was made very early in the design process. It was with this material that we managed to create a surface close to the limestone of the Pilatus massif. The rocky and karstic character of the gallery was inscribed into the design from the beginning.

The daring construction, with its large span in the interior and mighty overhangings, was only made possible by means of pre-stressed reinforced concrete beams operating together with steel construction.
 
 
We are happy to receive your suggestions and criticism!