Ballenberg viewing platform, Hofstetten BE

The project
A new treetop walkway has been created at the inn «Alter Bären» in the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum as a summer attraction for families. The walkway is around 25 meters long, winds its way through the forest at a lofty height, and ends with an almost eight-meter-long slide. The attraction is complemented by a tinkerer's corner for marble runs and playful learning stations on the theme of the forest. The facility combines nature, knowledge, and exercise. Realized as a regional timber construction project using natural spruce trunks and CLT platforms, the trail stands for sustainable architecture and communal experiences.

The construction method
The treetop path is designed as a delicate wooden structure made from regional, natural spruce trunks. CLT platforms are laid precisely around the trees and protected with rubber seals. Relief slots and cross-tension reinforcements in the round logs ensure that drying cracks only occur in the desired areas.

The challenge
Working with fresh round timber from the forest differs significantly from working with glued laminated timber. This was taken into account by creating controlled cracks and adding targeted reinforcements. Stabilization is achieved by partially clamping the CLT panels into the round timber supports.