Gstaad+
Project Presentation: Gstaad+ New Construction in Schönried
The Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG is planning an ambitious project of considerable scale – the planned Gstaad+ new construction in Schönried.
To meet the high demands of landscape, architecture, and environment, the Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad (BDG) has decided to conduct an architecture competition.
In close collaboration with numerous local architects, three teams were carefully selected, comprising architects, landscape architects, building physicists, traffic planners, and engineers. These teams were provided with a detailed spatial program and participated in a joint on-site briefing to discuss all relevant conditions.
The competition included two interim reviews and a final submission to enable as many operational, technical, and design inputs as possible. A jury, consisting of three architects, a landscape architect, and two members of the BDG, evaluated the projects to bring them to an almost identical high level.
Why is a competition necessary for architecture? For large projects like this, the canton mandates that planning be done through a quality assurance process. This process aims to best combine the numerous aspects of such a complex undertaking and to showcase various solution approaches. Quality assurance processes ensure that the architecture fully meets the requirements and expectations of the users.
Status of Spatial Planning:
The basis for the realization of the large project is the zoning plan, which defines building areas and corridors where the cable car and its stations are to be located. This zoning plan undergoes a multi-stage participation and approval process. After extensive preliminary examination, all points were resolved. Due to the size of the project, a second preliminary examination is being conducted to ensure that all points can be resolved by the relevant authorities and the chances of approval are increased. The dossier is currently with the Office for Municipal and Spatial Planning (AGR) and is expected to be resolved in the summer.
Tendering and Selection of the Rail Manufacturer:
After a study trip to numerous railways and manufacturers, initial discussions were held to tender the three railways. The detailed tender documents were prepared and finalized and sent to the manufacturers on January 10, 2024. In the coming weeks, numerous visits to the three manufacturers in the region will take place to consider all parameters for the offer. The tendering process is expected to be completed by early March 2024.
