Gotthard motorway services: a masterpiece in Accoya

The Gotthard motorway services at Erstfeld, on the southbound A2, is an architectural landmark that sits harmoniously in the Swiss mountain landscape. Completed in 2018 for the client Gotthard Raststätte A2 Uri AG, this 11,870 m³ building designed by the Lucerne practice alp architektur lischer partner ag set out to become the best service area between Hamburg and Palermo. Accoya wood was chosen for the roof boards and the terrace decking, installed by Holzbautechnik Burch AG and Otto Schuler Holzbau GmbH. The choice reflects the sustainable vision of the project: exceptional dimensional stability, a service life of at least 25 years in contact with the ground and 50 years above it, and 100% non-toxic timber from FSC certified sources. Compliant with the MUKEN energy standard, the building sets new benchmarks in appearance and environmental performance. Photograph: Roger Frei, Zurich.