Fancy new valley station

  23.06.2020 Local News

Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG (BDG) moved into its new offices in the newly built valley station of the Bergbahn Eggli at Easter. The multifunctional building fits beautifully into the landscape while featuring a markedly contemporary design.

The aim was to unite the administrative and technical departments of the BDG under one roof. “Previously, we only had ten work stations in the Haus des Gastes, which were not all on the same floor,” explains Isabella Eder, head of projects and member of the management. Hence the offices in the chalet set in the middle of the Promenade, where Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus has its offices, were ideal for neither customers nor employees.

At first glance, the valley station of the Eggli looks like an open-plan office; but the individual offices are separated by glass panels. The light flows through the large windows and fills the entire floor, which gives the whole space an agreeable lightness and makes smaller offices seem comfortably spacious.

“We now have all departments on the same floor,” says Eder and is convinced that this will make internal communication easier and faster. Various things that previously required written communication can now be briefly discussed face to face. “Now everyone first has to get used to the new proximity and processes have to be redefined.”

Proximity to cable cars
While the location is no longer centrally situated, more parking lots are available. Ticket and season pass sales remain to be organised in the coming months. For the time being, it is important employees get used to the new processes and premises. Why in the valley station of the Eggli of all places? “Because we have enough space there and because it makes sense to work directly next to one of the cable cars, in direct contact with one of our core facilities.”

Eder points to one of the windows that allow a spectacular view of the sophisticated technology of the cable car facility and the Porsche design gondolas. The view from the meeting room under the asymmetrical gable offers an unobstructed view of the giant pulley wheel – a highlight for customers and employees alike.

Light inside and outside
The shape of the roof subtly reflects the mountain and the clearing that leads the gondolas to the top of the mountain. Architect Hans-Peter Reichenbach from Reichenbach Architekten in Saanen explains: “We have found a concept that is compatible with the location, which handles the required large volume in a playful way and which also achieves an exciting effect.” The building keeps a connection to the Saanenland and displays clearly contemporary characteristics at the same time.

“The fact that the wooden elements of the façade are placed next to each other and project from the wall at a certain angle creates a special effect as you walk past.” With each step, the façade changes in shape, appearance and colour. Light enters the building through the wooden veil from the outside, but also travels in the opposite direction when the building is in operation at night, says Reichenbach.

Based on AvS/Kerem S. Maurer

 


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