The Punibach hydroelectric power station is conceived
as a fracture in the landscape. Harmonically integrated in its surroundings, it
suddently brakes it open and reveals the machines in its interiors, which serve
to transform natural powers into useful energy.
The concrete slab rammed into the ground separates the
smooth hilly landscape and the raw building structure made out of natural,
earth coloured materials. By night the appearance changes radically.
Whilst the landscape disappears in the darkness, the
power station glows through the lamellar façade and presents itself as a
landmark to the viewers over the road.
Similarly to the preceding Winnebach project,
also Punibach hydroelectric power station is located in a very delicate
natural/alpine surrounding, and monovolume architecture+design was called by
SEL AG (Südtiroler Elektrizitäts-Aktiengesellschaft) to manage the
architectural integration between form, function and environment.
Again, a defined statical and engineering project was provided
by SEL AG, which was carefully adapted to meet the
aesthetical and architectural needs in close coordination with the
specialist engineers.
This time the goal was to smoothly integrate the
rather bulky volume into a gentle hilly landscape. Punibach hydroelectric power
station was thus conceived as an almost linear fracture in the grassland —
perfectly assimilated to the surroundings but without hiding its character. It
suddently brakes the landscape open to reveal the machines in its interiors,
which serve to transform natural powers into useful energy. Once again, as
requested by the client, this was achieved with simple architectural
arrangements. The predefined position of the pressure
pipeline, the Y-pipe, hydroelectric turbines, returning conduit, as well as the
pre-existing sand trap were not changed.
The concrete slab rammed into the ground separates the smooth hilly landscape
and the raw building structure made out of natural, earth coloured materials.
By night the appearance changes radically: Whilst
the landscape disappears in the darkness, the power station glows through the
lamellar façade, becoming a distinctive landmark visible from
the main road not far away.
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