Acknowledgment - Competition bottom station Schafbergbahn

The Schafbergbahn is equally an attraction in the context of a unique landscape, as well as historical heritage. It is the steepest railway line in Austria and its nostalgic gear steam locomotives are among the oldest in the world. The design concept tries to emphasize these peculiarities by turning the valley station into a place of contemplation - the PLATFORM SCHAFBERGBAHN.

The architecture of the platform negotiates both the historical - technical as well as the landscape - related context by opening up the sloping terrain and forming a new topography. The resulting platform creates a new ensemble that integrates, framed and flaunted the historic train sheds and locomotives. This topographically differentiated Schaubahnhof makes it possible to guide the streams of visitors in such a way that a visit to the Schafbergbahn is an extensive, attractive experience.

Platform 
Bottom station:

The platform connects and integrates the building elements of different uses and creates an ensemble that stands out in a sign-like way and yet, of course, fits into the surroundings. The cutting of this platform integrates the locomotives like giant sculptures, which can be regarded as living main attractions from various points of view. Under the platform, the exhibition hall connects the ticket counter with the platforms and the rooms above it in the eastern building of the control center and the administration, and in the southwestern volume the restaurant. The platform is designed in such a way that it directs the visitor through the individual functions of the valley station in a self-directing manner, yet they can still be used independently of each other, depending on the time of the year and the time of day.

Place:

The ground floor, which has been inserted into the hillside, combines the public functions of the shop, entrance hall, exhibition areas and departure into a coherent volume. The hall and exhibition are combined to form an area whose uses can be played independently by the central ticket office. Sanitary facilities are located between the exhibition and the departure area as well as for visitors from the mountain in the central building core below the shop and on the upper floor of the restaurant. The catering can be reached in the opposite part of the building via a separate delivery. Two lifts in the main volume offer sufficient flexibility and short waiting times for both the catering industry and the incoming visitors. The public functions are clearly separated from the administrative areas of the eastern administrative volume by the separation of the buildings on the upper floor and offer the head of the office an optimal view of the railway tracks.

Structure:

The Cubatures, east for the administration and operations control center, and southwest for the public catering, rise as two spatial volumes together with the existing buildings from the platform and are read as part of the topography. The positioning of the main structure below the outbuildings corresponds to the different incoming streams of visitors as well as the optimal orientation to the lake and the course of the sun. The gastronomy receives a panoramic terrace on the elevated level and allows the desired view over the Wolfgangsee. The spiral-shaped, iconic staircase and an interior barrier-free accessibility make the restaurant easy to reach even in winter, making it an attractive address for the place.

Organisation and function:

The ground floor, which has been inserted into the hillside, combines the public functions of the shop, entrance hall, exhibition areas and departure into a coherent volume. The hall and exhibition are combined to form an area whose uses can be played independently by the central ticket office. Sanitary facilities are located between the exhibition and the departure area as well as for visitors from the mountain in the central building core below the shop and on the upper floor of the restaurant. The catering can be reached in the opposite part of the building via a separate delivery. Two lifts in the main volume offer sufficient flexibility and short waiting times for both the catering industry and the incoming visitors. The public functions are clearly separated from the administrative areas of the eastern administrative volume by the separation of the buildings on the upper floor and offer the head of the office an optimal view of the railway tracks.

Customer Journey:

When the visitors approach the future valley station, their gaze is directed through the Schaubahnhof towards the mountain. About ramps it attracts the visitor formally to the platforms to compete on the journey to the Schafberg. If there are longer waiting times, the exhibition integrated in the hall offers historical insights into the Schaulok and the upcoming railway experience. The large forecourt offers enough space to stay and admire the steam locomotives. Even those visitors who come from the parking lots, walk along the platform in the direction of the outer foyer and have the opportunity to overlook all attractions well. The departing visitors leave the platforms differently than the arriving passengers, being guided via the western platform through the restaurant and the shop to the exit.