Werdenberg Castle in Buchs (Canton of St. Gallen) commissioned REDERA design to create a futuristic vision for the building, which has a history spanning eight centuries.

The first focus was to improve accessibility to the castle (which overlooks the village from a 45-meter hill) by creating a magnetic funicular, complemented by an external lift that allows visitors to access all floors of the main building and its tower.

A drone platform also flanks the tower for aerial access.

The roof tiles have been replaced with transparent solar panels, offering an unobstructed view of the impressive timber frame of the top floor, which can also be explored via glass staircases.

A fully glazed booth extends from the south wall of the third floor, offering a spectacular 180° view of the village below, and a retractable translucent tent covers the courtyard, allowing events to be held in all weather conditions.

Finally, a Lego brick model brought to life in three dimensions all the innovations presented in large visuals.

The evening, themed ‘Models’, fostered numerous exchanges between architects, a semiotics specialist, artists, and an enthusiastic audience.