Kaunertal Glacier: Another Award For Falginjochbahn

After the State of Tyrol's recognition award for new building and the galvanizing award for architecture and metal processing, the Falginjochbahn on the Kaunertal Glacier, designed by the Baumschlager Hutter Partners architectural firm, has now also been awarded the renowned ICONIC AWARD for architecture in the “best of best” category.

Four years ago, the Falginjochbahn went into operation as Austria's first 100-passenger funicular lift on the Kaunertal Glacier and replaced two drag lifts. The railway, designed by the architectural firm Baumschlager Hutter Partners, Dornbirn, has already been awarded the State of Tyrol's Recognition Prize for New Building and the Galvanizing Prize for Architecture and Metal Processing. Now another award follows with the ICONIC AWARD in the “best of best” category for Baumschlager Hutter Partners.

The ICONIC AWARDS have been awarded by the Frankfurt am Main-based German Design Council since 2013. “With their new construction of the barrier-free Falginjochbahn, Baumschlager Hutter Partners gave a mountain railway system a face that is as distinctive as the mountain formation in which it is located,” the jury said in its statement. “Constructed from serially prefabricated individual parts in keeping with the short construction period, the valley station at an altitude of 2,750 m is a statement of functional aesthetics. The powerful, yet light appearance is based on a steel support structure whose strict grid rests on a concrete base. A glass facade behind it provides a view of the impressive drive technology.”

Resource-saving and wind-stable

The Funifor cable car technology is considered to be particularly resource-saving and wind-stable. The power supply is provided via the support cables and only two cable car supports are necessary to overcome 363 meters in altitude, with a 1,500 m free span in between. The train is also 100% barrier-free.

“We are very pleased about this award from the Falginjochbahn and warmly congratulate Baumschlager Hutter Partners,” explains Franz Wackernell, Managing Director of the Kaunertaler Gletscherbahnen. “The Falginjochbahn is the result of our sustainability strategy, in which we have clearly stated that we will achieve energy autonomy in the long term. At the same time, the lift offers the highest level of comfort and has developed into a special attraction in our ski area due to the visible, high level of engineering.