Norman Foster to restore historic sports pavilion for Kulm St. Moritz
by Kim Megson | 09 Feb 2016
British architecture studio Foster + Partners have been commissioned to restore a historic pavilion in Kulm Park, Switzerland so that it can be used at next year’s Ski World Championships.
The two-storey Ice Pavilion, which is owned by ski and spa getaway Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, was constructed in 1905 in a traditional Swiss Art Nouveau style. Despite being listed for protection, the structure is on the verge of collapse and the hotel is funding a CHF8m (US$8.1m, €7.2m, £5.4m) restoration and extension programme.
The pavilion, which was used in the 1928 and 1948 Olympics, stands between the main hotel building and a golf clubhouse and faces the hotel’s outdoor ice rink and tennis courts.
Hotel owners the Niarchos family have pledged to open up the facility to the local community when the restoration work is complete, making it available for sporting and cultural events. The pavilion’s grandstand has already been lined up to host the medal ceremonies of the Ski World Championships, which will take place in St Moritz in February 2017.
Work on the wooden refurbishment will begin in March 2016. Some demolition will take place but as much of the original building as possible will be salvaged, including its foundations.
Foster + Partners – who are led by British architect Norman Foster – have included a craft shop, sports equipment rental centre, wood-panelled restaurant and large sun terrace in their design.
The Kulm Hotel opened in 1856 and became a popular destination for summer spa and painting holidays and winter tourist breaks.
The hotel has 172 rooms, five restaurants and a fully-equipped gym. The Kulm Spa St. Moritz – which looks out towards the resort town’s lake – features a 20m indoor pool with underwater music, various saunas, a steamroom, a hot tub and spa treatment facilities.
Norman Foster Foster + Partners architecture design St Moritz Kulm St Moritz Ice Pavilion skiing Switzerland Ski World Championships
The Ice Pavilion looks out on to the hotels ice rink Credit: Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
Foster + Partners' restoration will salvage as much as the original structure as possible Credit: Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
Cultural community events will be held at the restored pavilion Credit: Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
The extension will predominantly use wood to integrate the extension with the existing building Credit: Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
The pavilion is a historic component of the Kulm Hotel, which opened in 1856 Credit: Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
The pavilion hosted ceremonies for the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics Credit: Kulm Hotel St. Moritz
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British architecture studio Foster + Partners have been commissioned to restore a historic pavilion in Kulm Park, Switzerland so that it can be used at next year’s Ski World Championships. The two-storey Ice Pavilion, which is owned by ski and spa getaway Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, was constructed in 1905 in a traditional Swiss Art Nouveau style. Despite being listed for protection, the structure is on the verge of collapse
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