A large crowd of locals and guests of La Punt attended a public presentation of the project «InnHub La Punt» on Friday evening. Work and seminar spaces, serviced apartments, a shop for local products, a visitor information centre, a sports and medical centre, a café and an underground car park are to be developed on an area of more than 7,000 square meters. The objective of the project initiators is to act as a catalyst for transformation by bringing together the uniqueness of the Engadin valley and innovative people and ideas.
The work and seminar spaces of the InnHub will feature a modern design and can be used on a monthly, daily or hourly basis. While the construction will be financed solely by private investors, the project initiators are looking to establish a company structure with a large supporting base—open to locals and visitors alike—to operate the premises.
The executive body of the commune of La Punt Chamues-ch fully supports the project. «We have been involved in the project from its very beginning, we have been able to bring in the needs of the town, its inhabitants and visitors,» the mayor, Jakob Stieger, said. «It is a stroke of luck that mia Engiadina has been successful in bringing together locals, regular visitors and the town administration. Together, we have been able to develop a project that will benefit each one of us.»
Vast interest from business and education
The novel concept will, Caspar Coppetti, one of the initiators of the project and co-founder of the running shoe manufacturer «On», explains, attract a new breed of guests: working tourists. «These people visit our region and are looking to work from here part of the time. To do that, they need a professional infrastructure and be surrounded by other people that inspire them.»
The concept is attracting a lot of interest, both locally and nationally. Besides the sneaker company «On», software giant Microsoft has also pledged to make use of the InnHub's infrastructure, as Marianne Janik, CEO of Microsoft Switzerland declared: «We are convinced that places like the InnHub, that bring together different people, are an essential driver of innovation for Switzerland. Increasingly, people are in need of spots that engineer inspiring surroundings, where they can work together on making new ideas happen. The InnHub La Punt has everything it takes to become such a spot. We are excited and looking forward to using these facilities often together with our partners and clients.»
A number of universities have shown interest in an Alpine campus. The Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz is also planning to take part in the InnHub and intends to take on an important role in education by offering a series of courses marrying innovation and technology. Potential for synergies also lies with local businesses, such as Sonja Bannwart's new hotel «Chesa Dimena» or the start-up company «Alpine Yoga». A central atrium, open to the public, a shop for local products, and a café are designed to turn the place into a meeting point. «In an ideal world, this place will bring together locals and visitors 365 days of the year, as much as it will have local business meet national and international companies,» says mia Engiadina's Jon Erni.
To increase the appeal of the project beyond national boundaries, the project initiators have commissioned an extraordinary architect: the world-famous Lord Norman Foster, who has made the Engadin his home, has designed a building that blends traditional Engadin architecture with elements mirroring the surrounding landscape formed by wind and weather – adding a modern twist. The construction will take place in close collaboration with the local architect Arndt Küchel, who has previously worked with Foster.
Large windows and roundish skylights allow light to penetrate all areas of the building. The central atrium, the café with an outside seating area, the visitor centre, and the sports facilities are intended to become the social focal point of La Punt. Seen from the outside, the large, albeit one-storied ensemble exudes an understated feel, it is made of local materials and covered in larch shingles.
State council Marcus Caduff, Head of the Cantonal Department for Economy and Social Affairs, is pleased with how the project is moving on: «The canton has shown continued support for the project from its very early days on. Thanks to the tenacity of all parties concerned, the project has now become tangible – the perseverance of private individuals, companies, the town and the state has paid off. I very much hope that the people of La Punt will embrace the project as much as we all did. It generates jobs and added value for the region.»
A re-zoning is necessary
For the InnHub to be built, a few buildings in the neighbourhood of Truochs / La Resgia need to give way. One of them is the holiday home of the CVJM (YMCA), which was already due to close its doors in the next few years. «We are happy to see that something new will be created in its stead, something which is in the best interest of the town, bringing more guests and social life to La Punt,» says Daniel Rietmann, president of the CVJM foundation.
Next, the project initiators will present the project to a broader public as well as interested parties and companies. The feedback collected will serve to finetune the construction project. The project can only be realised if the land-use planning is modified and the town agrees to grant a building right. The referendums on the re-zoning and the leasehold take place in a municipal assembly. The town government makes the modifications to the land-use planning. The municipal assembly will be held in spring of 2019 at the earliest.
The sum to be invested is budgeted to be around 40 million Swiss francs. It is financed by private investors. As the centre will in parts to be built on land owned by the town, the latter will, besides the tax income arising from the centre's operation, benefit from interest paid on the building rights. The InnHub could be completed as early as end 2021 assuming that legal proceedings incur no significant delays and the building takes one and a half years to complete.
Chesa Dimena: NEW Bed & Breakfast for La Punt
The Chesa Dimena will be built in very close proximity to the InnHub La Punt. The modern and charming bed & breakfast will have 44 beds in double rooms, suites and family rooms. «We want an overnight stay to cost less than 100 francs,» says the host Sonja Bannwart of her concept. The entrepreneur from La Punt is strongly in favour of the InnHub, and not just to serve her interest. «The InnHub will bring guests to the Engadin in the quieter months as well – that is what we need up here.»
The project for building the bed & breakfast has already been approved. Construction work is due to begin in the spring. Sonja Bannwart is looking forward to welcoming the first guests in the Chesa Dimena.
Contact
mia Engiadina
Jon Erni, CEO / Program Manager InnHub La Punt
+41 78 844 66 09
Municipality of La Punt Chamues-ch
Jakob Stieger, mayor
+41 79 416 08 82
Web presence of the InnHub La Punt
Images
can be downloaded for editorial use at www.flickr.com/photos/gartmannbiz/albums/72157678212176478