Vector Foiltec Single Foil Membrane Redefines Alpine Construction
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.
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 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, comprising 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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Notes to Editor
Vector Foiltec invented the use of Texlon® ETFE, the climatic envelope, over 30 years ago and remains the global specialist and market leader. The company’s project portfolio includes The National Aquatic’s Centre in Beijing, Unilever Offices in Hamburg and Forsyth Barr Stadium in New Zealand. Vector Foiltec holds the world’s most comprehensive body of material research and is responsible for all key technical innovations in the ETFE foil technology field.
Article supplied by:
Vector Foiltec
1-5 Vyner Street
London
E2 9DG
Tel: 020 8821 2900
Email: gb@victor-foiltec.com
Web: http://www.vector-foiltec.com