DASHED CHECKPOINT - Great St Bernard Tunnel
The Great St Bernard Tunnel is a road tunnel complementing the Great St Bernard Pass, linking Martigny (in the Swiss canton of Valais) with Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses (in the Aosta Valley, in north western Italy). This location as been chosen for the purpose of creating a sample pass in an area of outstanding natural beauty to enforce the idea of Border crossings as pleasant informative experience in the process of connecting multiple stated and highlighting their connection and similarity instead of enforcing separation.
Due to being located in a mountanious site, the current border crossing between the two states is a peaceful point of communication, however not much of an attraction. This project aims to reimagine the site to transform its perception from sole transpass to cultural enrichment and enjoyment of the surroundings, enhancing the experience of crossing state borders as a tribute to the freedom of travel, bulding a BLURED border concept.
Sun & Shadows Study - 8pm Summer Time
Panoramic viewpoints
Inner circulation flow - Private&Commercial
Pedestrian/Vehicle processing & Offices
Outer circulation flow - Private&Commercial
The volumes of the overall structure have been dislocated to create a 360 degrees panoramic view of the Lake St. Bernard and the mountainous ever-changing scenario. Positioned according to the contour lines of the site, the main structures are designed with a mixture of typical local Italian and Swiss building materials, as well as international contemporary materials and shapes
The structure has been developed over the preexisting Street Level L00, where the Commercial & Private Vehicle processing is located. From the underground parking, turists are taken to the L01 where a Restaurant, facilities and outside seating with Viewing point can be found. This level pierces through the mountain to create office spaces for the Border Police Forces, including meeting rooms, private restrooms, filing rooms and private kitchen.
Connecting though an elevator or starcase the turists can travel all the way to L02 where an Imigration-themed Museum is located. L02 is a freestanding horizontal structure layed on top of the mountain and designed following the pedestrian routes exisitng along the St. Bernard Pass. With its mirrored sides, the structure is made in order to create the lowest visual impact a structure that size could take, while being recognisable from far away.
This level is also characterised by a separated extention dedicated to the Pedestrian Processing, where turists crossing borders by foot can find a restful location and information about the connection between the two states: Italy - Switzerland. The museum is in-fact devided by Richard Serra’s art inspired structures, creating multiple smaller inner exhibitions inside the same space. The museum route organically leads the tourists to the suspended final part of the L02 Structure, where the exhibition ends in a breath taking Panoramic Bar