Snøhetta has won the competition for the new cable car stations in the German city of Koblenz, located in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a proposal that is sensitive to the context and whose respectful expressiveness blends into the surroundings like a sculpture that unites the valley and the mountain.

The valley station pays homage in its form to the Basilica of St. Castor, next to which it is located, reinterpreting both its architectural heritage and that of the city, through a sober and elegant appearance that blends into the urban and natural landscape.

Since 2011, a cable car has connected the city centre of Koblenz with Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the other side of the Rhine. Originally planned as a temporary structure for the Federal Horticultural Show, the intention has since become to operate the popular, environmentally friendly means of transport on a permanent basis. The location in a sensitive historical context and technical requirements made a redesign of the stations necessary. In the architectural competition organised by the cable car operator, Snøhetta won with the proposal of sculptural forms for the valley and mountain stations, which form a “cohesive pair” and react sensitively to the respective context.

The expressive stations blend respectfully into the historical context as contemporary statements. “The design shows restraint within the World Heritage Site without losing any of its architectural significance,” the jury stated. “The elegant roof shape creates a design reference to the St Castor Church.”

Cable car station by Snøhetta. Rendering by Snøhetta

Cable car station by Snøhetta. Rendering by Snøhetta.

The metal roof shell is supported by a wooden structure resting on V-shaped concrete columns. The metal shingles of the roof are inspired by traditional façade and roof motifs of the city, while the gently sculpted concrete columns are reminiscent of the vaulted stonework of the church and traditional masonry along the river. The subtle green colours and the glossiness of the metal cladding continue the reflections and play of light and shadow along the river and the tree-lined riverbank. The curved shape of the station reinforces this subtle effect. The open space at the station is integrated into the landscape of the Rhine promenade.

A common, gently chamfered metal roof also covers the technical facilities of the mountain station. Stoic, robust forms create a link to the Ehrenbreitstein fortress. Slender columns support the wooden construction with metal cladding, whose warmer colours refer to the earthy tones of the fortress walls. A “flying” roof in front of the station spans the kiosk, ticket office and technical rooms, integrates an existing tree and creates a sheltered waiting area. The station and the cantilevered canopy emphasise the clear horizontality of the historic landscape in front of the fortress. As with the bottom station, the entire technical installations of the cable car will be retained in the top station and supplemented with facilities for the permanent operation.

“The cultural landscape and identity of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley are characterised by centuries of human intervention. The new stations are part of this natural and cultural context and with our design we continue the dialogue with the significant cultural landscape of Koblenz."

Patrick Lüth, Snøhetta Partner and Managing Director of the Innsbruck studio.

More information

Label
Architects
Text
+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.
Label
Collaborators
Text

Structural engineering, façade & cost.- Sbp schlaich bergermann partner.

+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.
Label
Dates
Text

Competition.- 2024.

+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.
Label
Location
Text

Koblenz, Germany.

+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.
Label
Rendering
Text
+ + copy Created with Sketch.
- + copy Created with Sketch.

Snøhetta is an integrated architecture, landscape, and interior design company based in Oslo, Norway, and New York City, formed in 1989 and led by principals Craig Dykers and Kjetil Thorsen. The firm, founded in 1989, which is named after one of Norway's highest mountain peaks, has approximately 100 staff members working on projects around the world. The practice pursues a collaborative, transdisciplinary approach, with people from multiple professions working together to explore diverse perspectives on each project.

Snøhetta has completed several critically acclaimed cultural projects, including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt; the National Opera and Ballet in Oslo, Norway; and the Lillehammer Art Museum in Norway. Current projects include the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion at the World Trade Center site in New York.

In 2004 Snøhetta received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, and in 2009 the firm was honored with the Mies van der Rohe Award. Snøhetta is the only company to have twice won the World Architecture Award for best cultural building, in 2002 for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and in 2008 for the National Opera and Ballet in Oslo.

Read more
Published on: December 23, 2024
Cite: "Sculpture of the union between the valley and the mountain. Cable car station by Snøhetta" METALOCUS. Accessed
<http://www.metalocus.es/en/news/sculpture-union-between-valley-and-mountain-cable-car-station-snohetta> ISSN 1139-6415
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...
Loading content ...