There is some­thing sublime about this special place, right at the top of the Schnals Valley Glacier ridge, where Italy’s impres­sive alpine land­scape soars high above the reser­voir below, and Austria is around the corner.

In this unique geogra­phic loca­tion, fate decides whether a drop of glacier water will make its way towards the Medi­ter­ra­nean or the Black Sea.

In order to enable visi­tors plan­ning a more extended stay, as well as day-seizing moun­tain nomads, to expe­ri­ence not only the breath­ta­king ride to the moun­tain station, but also to get to know the fasci­na­ting history of this alpine wonder­land, noa* desi­gned a unique archi­tec­tural struc­ture.

A viewing plat­form was deve­loped based on a light struc­ture made of Corten steel, giving a modern touch that also blends in with the land­scape. The design incor­po­rates the preexis­ting summit cross, and the plat­form only touches the ground where there is a static neces­sity — crea­ting a detached, almost floa­ting cons­truc­tion which lets you become one with the moun­tains and breathe in the freedom.

Spea­king of time, a geome­tric funnel was cut into the undu­la­ting viewing plat­form to direct viewers eyes towards some­thing time­less — the place where Ötzi was found. Only a few meters from the Austrian border, the angle of the viewing funnel takes the visitor on a carefully crafted, intellec­tual journey to the Iceman.

The viewing funnel was desi­gned with Corten steel, and like the slats on the railing, the steel turns dark brown, grey and black as it yields to the elements and becomes one with its surroun­dings. The funnel end is completed with a glass railing which gives your thoughts flight in breath­ta­king suspense – it seems like you are walking on air.