Mid-Station Naifjoch

Competition, 1st price

Merano, Italy

2022

An existing outdated lift system leads from the summit station of the Ifinger cable car on the Piffing peak (commonly known as the "outer area") in the east of Meran to the high plateau of the so-called "inner area," where a ski and hiking area with several ascent aids can be reached. This system will be replaced by a modern circulating gondola lift. The new route, which previously ran directly from the valley to the summit station, will now feature a slight bend towards Naifjoch to provide improved descent options.

 

With this new route, a mid-station will be constructed at the bend, allowing for a shortened operation in summer without needing to reach the almost equally elevated summit station.

 

This mid-station, positioned at the highest point of the system, also serves as a highly attractive viewpoint at the edge of the Naifjoch, overlooking the Naif Valley towards Meran at the foot of the great Ifinger. Additionally, in the area of the new station, there is a geological and geomorphological feature showcasing a transition from gray-white magmatic rock to red Gröden sandstone.

 

Despite the station's location on the Naifjoch, efforts will be made to minimize its impact on the landscape's silhouette. To achieve this, the station will be deeply embedded into the mountain, with wall cutouts structured by stairways, and the roof surface will be connected to the foot of the small peak, serving as a viewing terrace.

 

The primary material used will be concrete with a bush-hammered surface and porphyry aggregate (which also accounts for the red coloration of the Gröden sandstone). For the station cladding and railings, locally typical Corten steel (commonly used for highway guardrails) will be employed.

Invited planning competition, 1st price

Client:  Merano 2000 Funivie Spa

Team ARTEC Architekten:
Bettina Götz and Richard Manahl
Project management: Gerda Polig
Jun Wook Song, Maï-Elys Sem

Renderings: Zoom VP

Photography: Lukas Schaller, Vienna

 

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Structural engineering: Werkraum Ingenieure, Vienna
Sanitary infrastructure: Rainer Zelger, Neumarkt
Electrical system:  Roland Thaler, Merano
Safety coordination: Georg Kofler, Neumarkt

Start of planning: 2021
Start of construction: 2022
Completion: 2022