Viewing tower Pyramidenkogel
A new landmark in Keutschach am See
Location:
Keutschach am See, Kärnten (AT)
Architecture:
Klaura Kaden + Partner ZT GmbH, Klagenfurt, Austria
Building owner:
Pyramidenkogel Infrastruktur GmbH & Co KG
Design of load-bearing structures:
Lackner & Raml ZT Ges.m.b.H., Villach, Austria
Dimensions:
500 m³ glulam, 1,000 m² CLT
The wooden viewing tower soars almost 100 metres high into the sky and consists of 16 large, elliptically arranged glulam larch support pillars that spiral upwards as a “basket structure”. At the very top of the tower structure are two viewing platforms and a “Sky Box” with panoramic windows. Visitors can also get a special thrill from Europe’s longest slide, which runs down from a height of approx. 50 metres.
Whether ascending the 441 steps or riding up on the panoramic lift, visitors can enjoy 360-degree views of Carinthia’s wonderful lake and mountain scenery. The lift can carry up to 20 people to a height of 70 metres.
For the observation tower, Rubner produced around:
- 500 m³ of glulam,
- 1,000 m² of cross-laminated timber, and
- 300 tonnes of steel (in collaboration with the Zeman company).
Delivery of the components to the construction site was according to a precise schedule. The tight radius of curvature of the access road to the summit meant that the glulam components were transferred from one articulated lorry to another on the final bends for transport to the final site. Rubner’s high degree of prefabrication permitted quicker completion of the construction, which also resulted in financial benefits.
The project was completed in 2013.
