Viewing platform Johannes waterfall Untertauern

A viewing platform that should give visitors the feeling of floating above the waterfall – that was Christoph Mösl’s vision when he made this unconventional design.

Soon it will be implemented.

The current 3D VISUALIZATIONS give a very good idea of what the platform will look like and are also proof that it will fit very well into the landscape.

In addition to the outstanding platform, there will be an info point. This is modeled on a boulder in design and is intended to provide visitors with information about the waterfall and the alpine pasture area as well as shelter from the sun and rain.

In addition to the appearance and the EXPERIENCE for the visitors, the STATICS naturally play a significant role in this project. Matthias Mösl, the structural engineer on the team, has dealt with this and calculated everything in detail – the biggest challenge here is not so much the number of people, but the considerable snow load in this area.

In addition to the main structure of the platform, the flooring (grating) and the infopoint are to be made of corten steel.

Corten steel forms a preweathered and thus a durable natural-looking surface.

This play of colors can also be observed on the stones where the waterfall bounces. The iron-containing parts in the rocks get a similar variety of colors through contact with water.

In combination with the rugged and irregular shape of the platform, the basic architectural idea attempted to emulate a cantilevered rocky outcrop .

In addition, we would like to play with different emotions with the design and also position them correctly in terms of structural design.

Therefore, before and after the support point (access platform), the two sidewalls are high and close together.

From the point of view of structural design, the largest shear force and the largest bending moment occur at this point, and the best way to counteract them is with a large structural height.

Since the high side walls as well as the closed floor prevent the view to the side and downwards, the visitor has the feeling at this point that he is walking into a protected area.

Only the one or other small opening gives an idea of the effect that awaits the visitor.

The further you go forward, the height of the structure decreases, the openings in the side walls become larger, and the entire side wall ends in a nothingness of only glass.

For this purpose, the initially closed floor is reduced to a structural minimum in order to provide horizontal bracing.

Thus, the grating can also show its advantages and gives the visitor the feeling of floating above the waterfall.

The openings in the side cheeks of the steel structure, as well as all other fall protection (in front of and on the platform),

should be made, if possible, in glass-only with the appropriate bird protection patterns.

We look forward to the realization of the project in the near future!