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Past and future hosts of the Olympic Games can look to St. Mortiz for inspiration when considering how to reposition their venues after the athletes and rousing crowds have long gone. Kulm Eispavillon in Switzerland's alpine resort town was the site of the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics, but the legacy of the building had been one of neglect and severe disrepair. Its abandonment became one of a growing chorus of plagued Olympic venues around the world. Yet the historic building has been granted a second shot at life thanks to the creative minds at Foster + Partners.
An ice skating rink forms the focus of the new scheme, which has gloriously been brought back to its original state. Visitors and the local Engadin community will be able to enjoy a new club restaurant, sun terrace, and multipurpose pavilion. "Designed in the spirit of a mini-stadium," according to Foster + Partners, the site will play host to a range of sporting and cultural events, including the medal ceremonies at the Ski World Championships in February.
The structural design and materiality of the pavilion reflects the Engadin tradition of woodcraft. A swooping cantilever — replete with wooden slats for visual permeability — extends from the street edge to create a sheltered space for visitors seeking respite from rain and snow. The structure seamlessly extends into a wall that curves around the northern corner of the site and ends in a smaller sun canopy at the other side. This arrangement maintains views of the skating rink and mountains from the street while protecting the property from the cold winds that blow into the valley.
Meanwhile, the old eispavillon has been restored, rekindling the architecture and spirit of the place. The first level functions as a museum, which alongside an accompanying restaurant, has an exhibition space showcasing memorabilia echoing the alpine traditions of the area. The revitalization faithfully preserves the historic features while making room for an indoor-outdoor space where people can catch picturesque views of the landscape. It's expected that there will be facilities to rent skating and curling equipment in the future.
"I approached this project not only as an architect, but as a sympathetic resident of St. Moritz; to me it was all about bringing the historic structure and the Davos Plaun back to life, to recreate a space for the local community," said Lord Foster, Executive Chairman and Founder of Foster + Partners. "The restoration of the old eispavillon and the new extension seek to re-establish Kulm Park as the social focus of this part of the town, providing a new destination for visitors and residents of the Engadin valley alike."
"The new Kulm Eispavillon will be at the heart of the sporting schedule of St. Moritz, and will also provide a flexible space for a variety of outdoor events throughout the year, from music concerts to car exhibitions," Foster continued. "Using the local tradition of wood, the entire ensemble is designed to be of the place, both in spirit and materials."
