A newly completed landscape installation turns the roof of an Alpine cable-car station into a public viewpoint, using a shallow reflecting pool and subtle paths to shape visitors’ engagement with the surrounding landscape.
Roof of the Zugerbergbahn mountain station beside Balmalp, Lech, Vorarlberg, Austria
About this story
Snøhetta designed and realized Lech Mountain Mirror on the roof of the Zugerbergbahn mountain station. A shallow water basin reflects the surrounding peaks, sky and clouds; stepping stones cross the water to a viewing point. A planted area, seating and lounging surfaces made of larch, and natural-stone boulders provide space to pause. The installation is free and barrier-free during cable-car operating hours. Project development began in spring 2024. Snøhetta says the aim was to influence visitor behavior and prompt engagement with the landscape rather than prioritize the installation’s appearance. Patrick Lüth, partner and managing director of Snøhetta’s Innsbruck studio, led the project.
Status and timeline
Completed and open since August 2026. The installation is intended for summer operation; the pool is filled from June to October and drained after the season.
Design highlights
A changing, weather-dependent water reflection makes the Alpine landscape the primary experience. The intervention uses the existing station roof as public space, combining a shallow basin, barely visible stepping stones, a viewing point, planted area, and locally resonant materials. Snøhetta describes the intent as encouraging a moment of pause and interaction with the surroundings.
