Subtle rather than spectacular

Landscapes hold wondrous power. They connect human and non-human worlds; they can comfort or confront, inspire, or frighten. Landscapes are simultaneously young and ancient; they will always exist and continue to change regardless of design or intervention. Yet, while landscapes can be shaped by an accumulation of forces and time, they can be imagined through image, text, and storytelling.

With practice, landscapes can be "read," often revealing languages, idioms, and dialects unique to the specific context of time and space. Like storytelling, landscapes can tell the stories of past and present, of cause and effect, of people and culture. The simple notion of a "path" can offer an immersive journey through place and time.

At Innsbruck´s Nordkette mountain range, the Path of Perspectives introduces a select sequence of moments. The mountain path is an invitation for visitors to read and experience the alpine landscape. We were asked to design a spectacular intervention, a sensation for visitors, but we are convinced that the alpine landscape offers plenty of sensations. The subtle design interventions give the visitor hints on how to read the landscape. The act of reading is supported by quotes from Ludwig Wittgenstein inscribed in the architectural elements. In his “Philosophical Investigations” the philosopher reflects on the difficulties of seeing a landscape. “In his discussion of seeing he emphasizes the enormous ambiguity of what is in our visual field and the way that we need to be trained to see”, Wittgenstein scholar Allan Janik comments. His selection of Wittgenstein thoughts on seeing and thinking gives a dual meaning to the path of perspectives. Visitors are not only invited to “read” the landscape, but to take a moment to reflect, both inwardly and out over the landscape, emphasizing the ambiguity of the trail.

As with all our projects, our design interventions are a reaction to the place and its context. We begin by questioning assumptions and by considering the context of environmental, cultural, and historical conditions of the sites and the people we engage. Our design interventions weave unique contexts in with conceptual thinking.

The path itself might be read as a mere infrastructural intervention. Or as an intellectual confrontation. Modest design gestures may unfold spectacular stories. Or only entice visitors to take a stroll and offer a place to rest. The ingredients are obvious, the outcome is defined by the users and observers. They might experience a place of wonder.

This short essay was published in the book “The Spark and A Sense of Wonder – Enjoying and Creating Great Tourist Experiences” by Terry Stevens. His “Guide for Creating and Enjoying Inspirational Tourist Experiences” was published by Graffeg Books.