Architectural Design V-IX: Blatten – Building on Unstable Grounds (E. Christ / C. Gantenbein)

Abstract

Given the recent events which saw the town of Blatten in the Lötschental valley destroyed by a landslide, the studio aims to enquire on the discussions regarding its re-birth. Students will question the immediate response to rebuilding. If so, Why? How and where? Faced with the topics of climate threat and heritage, students will develop concrete scenarios for the reconstruction of Blatten.

Objective

The semester aims to offer students a research-led methodology which will create educated and personal design approaches, tackling both technical and sociological questions, to a topic which is of high relevance. Our studio will focus on the relationship between settlement and landscape. Different morphological and typological structures are to be tested against the backdrop of different scenarios for the mountain valley, as exemplary projects for building in the mountains. From the most accurate reconstruction possible to temporary settlement forms, alpine megastructures, or as yet unknown forms of alpine architecture, all possibilities are open for discussion. Questions of community organisation, ecology, and economy are central to this. Architecturally, we are interested in a contemporary approach, one which speaks to both vernacular heritage and the present-day concerns regarding climate.

Content

How should one react when the unthinkable happens and the certainties of one's culture are destroyed from one moment to the next? "Blatten" asks this question. Because we assumed, or at least believed, that a place where people had lived and farmed for centuries was safe, perhaps even eternal. In May 2025, suddenly this changed for Blatten. Everything is buried under mountains, rocks, and huge glacial masses. There are very few traces left of this proud, historic place. The reaction was swift, clear, and perhaps a little defiant: "The village shall be rebuilt in exactly the same place!" And as quickly as possible. The reconstruction seems to already have become something of an official planning requirement. Emergency roads have been built, and plans are being made with determination. At the same time, however, there is fierce debate: does it make sense, or is it even permissible to rebuild in exactly the same place? Is this justifiable in light of the latest scientific findings? After all, it seems quite obvious that the natural hazard posed by the mountain is by no means over. On the contrary, it is probably becoming less and less safe in this area. Climatic conditions are changing, and with them, safety in the mountains. They are becoming less safe. The ground is increasingly unstable. Not only in Blatten, and not only in a figurative sense. That is why the authorities are drawing up hazard maps and weighing up the risks. Together with politicians, and ultimately with the citizens, they must decide whether and, if so, how it will be possible to build in the mountains, and specifically in Blatten, in the future. Our studio would like to contribute to this discussion and develop concrete scenarios for the reconstruction of Blatten. However, we are not advocating for a faithful reconstruction. We would like to approach the problem more openly. That is why we believe that the question of reconstruction must be negotiated more radically and without any taboos: Where is the New Blatten to be re-built? In its historic place? or in a different new location? or possibly even outside the valley? In any case, we are convinced that "Blatten" has an existential dimension that extends far beyond the Lötschental valley. Our studio will focus on the relationship between settlement and landscape. Different morphological and typological structures are to be tested against the backdrop of different scenarios for the mountain valley, as exemplary projects for building in the mountains. From the most accurate reconstruction possible to temporary settlement forms, alpine megastructures, or as yet unknown forms of alpine architecture, all possibilities are open for discussion. Questions of community organisation, ecology, and economy are central to this. Architecturally, we are interested in a contemporary approach. One which speaks to both vernacular heritage and the present-day concerns regarding climate. We consider this essentially an almost impossible design task and ultimately a very general question: to what extent can and should we continue to build in the face of climate change? So, "Blatten" is really about everything! The goal is to create bold, intelligent, exciting, and even provocative projects. We see the value of our contribution in the power of free design. With strong images and precise forms, we aim to contribute to a debate that is relevant not only to Lötschental but to our entire society. Last but not least, it is about the question of what architecture can still achieve in uncertain, downright existentially unstable times like today. The "Blatten" design studio will take place at Atelier Gisel. We will run the studio in collaboration with experts and specialists from various disciplines and organise excursions and seminars in a mountain retreat.

Resources