REDEFINING SINGLE FOIL MEMBRANES The Grasjoch-Hochalpila Interchange Station, St. Gallenkirch, Austria
Vector Foiltec's Texlon® ETFE is redefining conventional Alpine construction with the application of a single foil membrane to the Grasjoch-Hochalpila Interchange Station. In a region renowned for its heavy snow loads (up to 380 kg/m²) and wind-peak speeds of 200 km/h, Vector Foiltec is setting the standard in single foil membrane technology.
- (1888PressRelease) July 21, 2012 - Connecting the villages of St. Gallenkirch and Schruns in the Montafon Valley of the Austrian Alps, the interchange station forms the longest cable-car system in Europe, at an estimated 4,343 m. Designed by architectural office Obermoser, the L-shaped, flat roof design of the station, unobtrusively blends into the surrounding landscape, offering a new approach to ecological and environmental developments at an altitude of up to 1.975 m a.s.l.
Proposed in 1978, the Grasjoch-Hochalpila concept only became viable once Texlon® ETFE was proposed as an alternative cladding system. Vector Foiltec's wealth of design and engineering experience and Texlon® ETFE's high-performance capabilities has transformed single foil membrane technology into an innovative and cost effective solution for building envelopes.
The tight deadline of this 30 Million Euro project was predetermined by the high altitude and alpine weather. Planning of the overall project commenced in 2009, taking into account the requirements of the nature conservation board and environmental impact stipulations. Vector Foiltec's involvement in the project began in September 2011 and completed by mid December 2011.
This inspirational project, comprised of 2,435 m² of transparent Texlon® ETFE foil, underwent extensive testing to determine the feasibility of single foil membrane technology in such a challenging environment. Affording permanent protection against all weather conditions, and offering spectacular views of the surrounding Vorarlberg slopes, the project's success is a culmination of innovative design, the unique properties of Texlon® ETFE and Vector Foiltec's 30 years of 'solution-finding' expertise.
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