Alpine Recomposition

An abandoned ski lift in Misox is to be dismantled in order to re-establish the traditional chestnut economy further down in the valley. Parts of the lift facilities are to be converted into a material ropeway, other elements will become part of new buildings. The project links social with technical issues as well as local traditions with re-use.

This master's thesis examines the reuse of obsolete steel infrastructures in the alpine region of San Bernadino, where six ski lift and cable car structures left in the landscape were abandoned with the closure of the Confin ski area. These form the starting point for a design investigation into the possible reuse of former portal masts, trusses and polygonal supports.\r\nThe actual design study is preceded by a analysis of the basics: a survey of the obsolete infrastructures as well as a cataloguing of the different components sound out the general potential for a recomposition. In parallel, a utilisation concept is being developed for the cultural landscape on Mont Grand in Misox in order to counteract the current forestation by reforesting or maintaining the chestnut trees. By founding a chestnut cooperative, the traditional processing of chestnuts is to be resumed and strengthened in a synthesis of use with a \"Rifugio\" for those seeking peace and quiet, tired of civilisation.\r\nThe design itself includes a new material ropeway, which defines the sites by means of its stations: Coming from the mountain above the chestnut groves to be reforested, the chestnuts are transported to the so-called \"Rifugio\" halfway down, which is built in an existing conglomerate of former stables and drying huts on existing foundation walls. Further down the valley to Soazza, the material cableway leads directly to the \"Castagneria\" for mechanical processing and for the sale and marketing of the chestnuts on a larger scale and in a larger catchment area.