Projects Koblenz cable car valley and mountain station
Projects

Koblenz cable car valley and mountain station

New look for the
Koblenz cable car

Typology Infrastructure Client Skyglide Event Deutschland GmbH Architect kadawittfeldarchitektur Competition 2024 – 3. price

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Brief Redesign of the cable car stations in Koblenz for better integration into the historical surroundings of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Upper Middle Rhine Valley” | Added Value The required building volume is limited to the geometrically necessary minimum and a permeable, transparent structure is created by means of a serial arrangement.

Site plan valley station

The positioning of the ticket office is aligned with the promenade.

In 2011, a spectacular cable car was built for the BUGA, allowing visitors to float from Koblenz city center across the Rhine to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress opposite. The people of Koblenz no longer wanted to do without this option after the BUGA – the cable car remained, initially for a limited period until 2026.

The temporary operation is now to be converted into a permanent one. As the current valley station disturbs the view of the Romanesque basilica of St. Castor and its connection to the Rhine, which also jeopardizes the status of the “Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site”, proposals for a redesign were sought as part of the competition.

Current picture of the valley station. Credits: Skyglide Event Deutschland GmbH

Our concept envisages a transition into three clear building forms, consisting of visible frame constructions arranged one behind the other. The repeating frames create a common overarching shell and create a harmonious balance between the new cable car station building and its surroundings.
The height development of the volumes relates to the facades and building sections of the basilica. Building elements such as columns, windows and colors are also referenced and transformed into a modern, restrained design language. The resulting design envelops the existing cable car station, creating a harmonious balance between the building and its surroundings.

Valley station

The height of the three building volumes and the individual building elements make reference to the adjacent St. Kastor basilica, which dominates the cityscape, and open up lines of sight to the monument at the Deutsches Eck. The clear building principle is transferred to the mountain station at Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, so that a uniform design of the two cable car stations is achieved.

Perspective view of the valley station
Model photo
South view valley station
Cross section valley station

The valley station consists of three volumes of different sizes and functions. The lowest volume contains the ticket office and social areas, the middle volume the entrance to the station, which also encloses the existing control building. The highest volume comprises the technical area of the transportation system.
The clearly legible functionality enables intuitive and equal use of the cable car system.

Mountain station

Perspective view of the mountain station
Cross section Bmountain station

The cable car station on the hill of Ehrenbreitstein Castle follows the principle of the valley station. A superordinate, design-defining framework structure combines the existing individual building sections into an overall picture. Three building volumes differ in size and function: The lowest volume contains the covered entrance to the cable car station, the associated ticket office, as well as the kiosk and social rooms for employees. The middle volume encloses the cable car’s technical equipment. The highest volume integrates the tower of the newly planned gondola station.
On the north-east facade, generous glazing on the technical level provides an insight into the special features of a cable car system.
To the south-west of the mountain station, in addition to the existing catering facilities, an inviting outdoor space is being created that invites visitors to linger and enjoy the breathtaking view of Koblenz.

Facade

Particular emphasis was placed on the durability and reusability of the materials used. A modular system of prefabricated, repetitive construction elements as well as the simplicity and detachability of the joining points enable dismantling and reuse. Local mineral aggregates reduce the CO2 emissions of the concrete components and match the color of the surroundings. The roofs are greened and have a positive influence on the microclimate.

Facade section valley station