The First Residents Are Moving Into The New Staff House Of Schilthornbahn AG.
The employees of Schilthornbahn AG have started to move into the 13 studios in the new team house in Mürren. The building is a response to the shortage of affordable housing for staff. Sustainable construction methods were a key consideration in the planning phase.
Even on the approach to Mürren by cable car, the new, bright, chalet-style building immediately catches the eye: the Schilthorn Team House. Just in time for the start of the winter season, the tourism company has handed over 13 modern apartments to its employees. The studios, ranging in size from 27 to 35 square meters, feature a functional kitchenette and a spacious bathroom. Wood-look tile flooring, anthracite-colored bathroom tiles, and white fixtures and walls give the rooms a welcoming and bright character. All studios are fully furnished and equipped with all the usual household appliances and utensils. Most units also have a balcony or patio. Each apartment also includes a small storage niche in the basement. A spacious laundry room with multiple washer and dryers, as well as a ski room, complete the amenities.
Response to the shortage of staff accommodation
“All studios were occupied by internal employees,” says Simon Sauter, Head of Building Management & Construction Projects. “The new team house is, not least, a response to the shortage of affordable staff accommodation and the associated challenges in recruiting – a problem our company also faces,” Sauter explains. The rapid occupancy, primarily by seasonal workers, clearly demonstrates the need.
Sustainable construction as a key requirement
The three-story building consists of a solid ground floor and an upper floor and attic constructed using prefabricated timber. Sustainability is a key focus. "Sustainable construction was a prerequisite from the outset," says Sauter. "The generous photovoltaic system on the roof supports the heating system, which is supplied with district heating from the pellet boiler in the neighboring Chalet Schilthorn," he explains. Thanks to the excellent insulation of the building envelope, heating requirements are low. "This allows us to simultaneously utilize solar radiation during the day as a passive energy source,"
Sauter adds. The new building was constructed on the site of the former Chalet Felsli. Although construction in Mürren is logistically complex and expensive, new construction was chosen over renovation. "Thanks to the material ropeway of the railway project, we were able to offset some of the costs," says Sauter. "Emissions and vehicle transport were thus reduced to a minimum."
Currently, there is a lot of snow around the building. The landscaping and planting will be carried out next summer. A storage shed will also be built.
