Rising above the forest on Grünberg near Gmunden, this sculptural lookout tower redefines what a viewpoint can be.
Shaped like a giant barrel and standing 39 meters (128 ft) tall, it is seamlessly woven into the treetop trail inviting visitors to move upward gently, not abruptly.
🏗️ The load-bearing system is formed by an outer ring of twelve curved glulam (GLT) beams, creating a polygonal spatial structure. Inside the tower, a barrier-free ramp with a maximum gradient of 6% leads to the viewing platform at the top, which is supported by steel cantilever beams.
Stability against horizontal loads is ensured by a diagonal steel bracing net, anchored to the timber columns and supplemented by horizontal ring elements. Vertical loads are transferred via steel beams into reinforced concrete foundations.
🛠️ Structural Design & Construction: WIEHAG Timber Construction GmbH.
