Italian Alpine peak topped with jagged cable car station

Milan-based Studio di Architettura De Carlo Gualla has created the Stella di Pila cable car station with panoramic views of the Italian Alps.

Surrounded by mountains at a height of 2,723 metres, the cable car station, which tops the Aosta-Pila-Couis Gondola, was designed to be a landmark within the Alpine landscape of the Aosta Valley region.

"The project explores how a cable car station can become a spatial experience rather than a purely technical object," Studio di Architettura De Carlo Gualla co-founder Andrea Gualla told Dezeen.

"Large infrastructure inevitably alters the landscape," he continued. "Our ambition was to avoid a purely functional intervention and instead create a structure capable of generating identity and spatial meaning – something that feels intentional within its environment rather than anonymous or imposed."

The cable car station has a distinct, jagged form that was informed by the shape of the edelweiss Alpine flower.

Its points were arranged to create views from the cable car station to the surrounding peaks, which include Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

"The geometry emerged from thinking about orientation and views," explained Gualla.

"Inspired by the edelweiss and the logic of a compass rose, each 'petal' is aligned with a specific peak."

"The building opens toward Gran Paradiso, Grande Rousse, the Rutor Glacier, Mont Blanc and Grand Combin – among the tallest and most iconic mountains in the Alps," he continued.

"A cantilevered petal extends outward as a viewing platform, projecting into the void and framing a direct view toward the Matterhorn."

The cable car station and public toilets occupies two of the building's seven, pointed petals, while the rest of the building contains a panoramic restaurant and bar.

The kitchen was placed at the centre of the building surrounded by the curved bar, snack bar and self service counters.

Seating extends from this central food service area into the pointed petals, which have ceilings that rise to take advantage of the mountain views.

All the walls are fully glazed a balcony surrounding the space contains outdoor seating. A mezzanine level above the kitchen contains additional indoor seating.

While having creating a distinct, recognisable form was a key consideration for Studio di Architettura De Carlo Gualla, the studio also had to create long-lasting building that would function within the mountainous conditions.

"At 2,750 metres, climate and logistics are not constraints to work around, but forces that actively shape the architecture," said Gualla.

"The challenge was to create something robust enough to withstand extreme conditions while retaining clarity, precision and visual lightness."

According to the architecture studio, sustainability was "embedded throughout the project", which uses grey water and rainwater recovery.

"In this context, sustainability is inseparable from longevity," said Gualla. "The replacement of obsolete lift systems improves efficiency while supporting a more continuous, year-round use of the site."

Other architecturally interesting lift buildings in the alps include a station with an angular timber viewing tower designed by Snøhetta and a station perched on top of Mount Gütsch by Studio Seilern Architects.

The photography is by Andrea Martiradonna.

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