Christoph Piffer's Freiraum: A Symphony in Oak

Award-winning Design Marries Functionality and Aesthetic in an Alpine Setting

The design of Freiraum is inspired by the inviting charm of alpine hotels, with the use of solid oak timbers setting it apart from other projects. The structure, which makes up ninety percent of the project, is entirely made of oak, with the room also featuring approximately ninety square meters of glass. This provides an awe-inspiring view of the Austrian Alps, enhancing the overall experience for the guests.

Freiraum's unique properties lie in its clear and thoughtful design, reminiscent of a wave form. This wave form extends over the entire oak-made furniture, including the baldachin, staircase, and built-in niche seats. The project also features two barrier-free gateway possibilities that slide into the ground or emerge from the floor, adding to its uniqueness. The combination of wood, metal, and stone as main materials, along with cleverly positioned lighting, contributes significantly to the pleasant ambiance.

The realization of the design involved the use of 16,000 cubes of oak, glued together and 3D milled, resulting in a 25-ton heavy sculpture. The technical specifications of the design include dimensions of 15m/8m/5.5m and a total length of 42m. The design tags associated with the project include "Bar," "Freiraum," "Oak," "Sculpture," and "Puradies."

The design was brought to life with the help of Ing. Franz Piffer, Zuchna Visualisierung for visualization and 3D modeling, and KWS Jenbach for construction planning and manufacturing. The project started in June 2015 and concluded with a grand opening in December 2016. The construction duration was from June 2015 to June 2016, and manufacturing from April 2016 to December 2016.

The underlying research for the design was driven by the client's desire to create something special and unique, using natural materials. The choice of oak, a hard and resistant wood, was perfect for the project. The design had to combine a bar and a lobby with a sculpture and also connect two floors. The sculpture snakes through the lobby up to the first floor and ends in the library, creating a seamless connection between the spaces. The most significant challenge was managing the weakening and swelling of the wood, which was overcome by creating a structure to keep it in form.

Freiraum has been recognized with the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2017, a testament to its outstanding design and innovation. This award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate exceptional expertise and innovation. Freiraum, with its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcases a remarkable level of excellence and introduces positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.