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The concept behind our design is connection. The building is designed so that users have sightlines into other areas and levels of the building, regardless of where they are physically located. This ensures that the sports areas are always visible. The forecourt leads directly into the main entrance of the building. The lobby spans two lower levels, which house the sports hall, trampolines, a climbing wall, a bouldering wall, a pump track, an indoor soccer field, table tennis, and much more. Each level of the building is connected by ramps. Between some levels, there are seating areas with views of the landscape as well as other parts of the building (e.g., climbing wall, soccer field, etc.).
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Our inspiration was the topography and creating a local identity. The U-shaped village square is framed by two greened wings blending with the landscape. The open side is framed by the forest, integrating nature into the architecture. The pitched roof follows the slope of Krimmler Straße and lowers towards the valley. The building is staggered by half a floor in the middle. We followed Karl Friedrich Schinkel's idea: "Architecture's duty is to turn something useful, practical, and functional into something beautiful".
The Youth Hostel prioritizes environmental sustainability. Built from regional wood using solid wood construction, it is heated by biomass district heating and powered by photovoltaic panels. The use of coaches for group travel reduces the carbon footprint, leftover wood was repurposed into furniture. The urban design creates a south-facing village square that blends with the landscape. Side wings are embedded in the terrain and covered with greenery, integrating with nature. The ground floor houses the foyer, accessed by centrally positioned ramps. The design features a three-story climbing wall. The hostel's commitment to sustainability and design excellence has earned it multiple awards.
The "Youth Hostel Gerlos" in Hochkrimml, Austria, at 1700 meters, supports affordable school trips amidst the Austrian Alps. Built from regional wood with biomass heating and photovoltaic electricity, it minimizes environmental impact. Group travel by coach reduces carbon emissions, and leftover wood was used for furniture. The hostel spans 7500 m2 with 450 beds and 2200 m2 of indoor sports areas, including a climbing wall and gym, fostering community and recreation. Architecturally, it features a longitudinal timber structure forming a south-facing U-shaped village square. This semi-public space blends with the landscape, clad in simple wooden panels. Entering through a glazed area from the village square, visitors encounter a design where the main structure appears to float above the ground, flanked by landscaped wings. Air spaces between floors offer expansive views of the landscape. The ground floor includes a foyer with ramps for vertical access and connections, leading to a three-story climbing wall starting at the second basement level. The "Youth Hostel Gerlos" is a hub for community and outdoor activities, enhancing visitors' experience amidst the breathtaking Alpine setting.
The Youth Hostel blends into its Alpine environment with a timber longitudinal structure and a south-facing U-shaped village square, promoting community engagement and environmental harmony. The hostel spans 7,557 m² with 450 beds, offering extensive sports amenities like climbing walls and trampolines for school trips. Sustainability features include regional wood construction, biomass heating, and photovoltaic electricity, emphasizing environmental responsibility.
We strive to push the boundaries of architectural discourse and expand the realm of possibilities through unorthodox, interdisciplinary, and unconventional working methods. Our design tasks range from urban planning to the smallest sanitary facilities. Among our core competencies are building in historical contexts and the sensitive handling of existing structures. The architecture firm Lechner & Lechner was founded in 1987 by Christine and Horst Lechner and was re-established in 2015 as Lechner - Lechner - Lechner ZT GmbH. During our collaboration with the Chair of Urban Design at ETH Zurich in the late 1990s, we met architect Johannes Schallhammer. Since 2000, we have been working together in a joint office at our shared location in Priesterhausgasse, Salzburg. In addition to our individual projects, we collaborate on many projects together.
