Further information: Information Bureau A-6580 St. Anton am Arlberg ...

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New standards for alpine architecture
The architects Helmut Dietrich and Much Untertrifaller have also achieved a great integration
success with the building of the events and congress centre, ARLBERG well.com: half of the
48,000 cubic meters of the large hall is hidden within the slope, into which the grassed flat roof
blends smoothly. The five long, narrow roof sections allow the viewer to think of hay sheds on a
meadow slope and make the roof an altogether exciting landscape. The interior, with the three
main halls, restaurant and swimming pool, as well as a wellness suite, is captivating with its
generosity and restrained elegance. The principal functions of this hospitality building stand clearly
in the foreground of this ultramodern establishment, which is used for large cultural and sporting
exhibitions, as well as congresses, meetings and company events.
Even in smaller measures St Anton am Arlberg shows indicative architecture, and is already a role
model for private building projects in the Tyrolean mountains. The house of the Falch family in the
village centre represents a departure in recent times from alpine cosiness: a lot of glass, ensuring
wonderful views of the beautiful mountain world and a flat roof which, due to its special
construction, reflects the light from the south side into the dwelling on the lower level. The large
porch roof, which is made from trapezoidal sheet metal, is an eye-catcher which dominates the
entrance. Family Falch would have still been happy in their traditional Tyrolean house, but they had
to give it up, as well as their family run hotel, in the course of the railway relocation. Because the
Falchs were so inspired by their unorthodox new home, they established the same principles to
their distinctive Hotel Anton. Together with architect Wolfgang Pöschl, they realized a project,
which in efficiency and imaginativeness has no equal.
Particularly impressive is the generous glazing combined with alcoves, which are inverted into the
front and offer special lounging areas from which one can view the sweep of the mountains. Rooms
of different sizes can be connected, some of which have small kitchens to function as apartments.
For the new generation, the traditional and often rather boring play corner in the restaurant has
been avoided. Parents are particularly happy that their children can play in a glassed-in gallery,
always within their sight.
Also in the neighbourhood, the Ski Hotel Galzig was opened by the Alber Family. The long, narrow
modern building with its balconies and its uncomplicated wood and glass facade is light and
absolutely integral. It is beneficial that no visual contradiction has been created here, but a
conscious connection to the nearby ARLBERG-well.com.
The Hotel Lux Alpinae, designed by the architect Georg Driendl, has been open since 2003. The
building was developed in the upper, higher lying part of St Anton am Arlberg and is considered a
further architectural role model in the alps. Its location in the village was considered in the design
and construction of the hotel and also eventually gave it its name: Lux Alpinae, alpine light. Due to
the large glass frontage, light is the defining impression for the guests. A light, which constantly
changes during the course of the day, is reflected by the sun-illuminated mountains into the hotel
rooms, where it can spread unhindered thanks to the many, extensive glass panes.
All-in-all, St Anton am Arlberg still presents itself as connected to tradition, but the Tyrolean
mountain village is anything but backward. Instead of sticking with the romance of the wood-carved
hearts, here one also dares to take new paths. "Our guests look for authenticity and vibrancy and
that is exactly what a “museum village” from the year dot does not offer" explains Director of
Tourism, Martin Ebster. "We move with the times and represent the traditional as well as the urbanmodern
target group".
Further information is available from the information bureau St. Anton am Arlberg under +43 (5446)
22690, or visit www.stantonamarlberg.com
Images (in high resolution) and press releases: www.stantonamarlberg.com (press)