International
cooperations
„All areas of my life have one thing in common: On my journey, I never once felt like I had arrived at my destination. I have never stopped dreaming.“
Walter Pichler
Our dreams allow us to reach for the stars. Of this, Walter Pichler is sure. Even from Walter’s very first projects as a child with his brother Ferdinand, one thing was certain: there’s always a way to make a dream come true, no matter the size. The reason for this optimism is simple: a dream that comes true creates space for new dreams and thus for new projects. And this is what PICHLER projects is all about. The company is a constantly evolving dream built on Alpine technology, the highest artistry in engineering, and the success of many international buildings and architectural feats in South Tyrol and other parts of the world.
Arch. Renzo Piano und Walter Pichler
It all started with a solid foundation: his architectural studies in Milan. This was followed by his first professional experience during the second year of university studies. Then there was the time spent at Brera in addition to practical experience in various architectural firms. To cap it off, there was the project implemented along with Ferdinand, which represented his entry into the world of construction with a material that embodied both the origins and future for both men: steel.
„The central elements of the international collaborations during those years were the search for beauty and the ability to experiment and create contrasts.“
Walter Pichler
The first important international cooperation arose in 1996 in collaboration with one of the most important names in world architecture: Kenzō Tange of Japan. In a Milan shaped by the spirit of new beginnings, work began on the new Corporate Headquarters of BMW Italia. In Italy, which was dominated by concrete at the time, this steel project seemed almost visionary. Erected on an area of 12,000 m², it was completed in just 2 years. The 83-year-old Kenzō Tange was escorted to the construction site by a long convoy of highly polished black BMWs. Walter Pichler was waiting for him there.
It was the first meeting of these two determined personalities - two minds united by their love of architecture. Through this cooperation, Pichler fulfilled a dream: in collaboration with this genius, he found the ideal space for his work. This first privileged step opened up numerous new opportunities for Walter and marked the beginning of an exciting journey in which other important names and companies participated over the years.
Among these were Massimiliano Fuksas with the building of the Polo Direzionale De Cecco in Pescara, the office building of Fater S.p.a., or the la Laterna, an exclusive glass and steel location in the heart of Rome.
There was also the collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects with their residential ensemble at 520 West 28th in New York, the Bergisel ski jump in Austria, and the MMM Corones, the Messner Mountain Museum of Reinhold Messner at 2,275 m above sea level. These three very special challenges were only possible thanks to the highest engineering skills, Alpine technology and unparalleled logistics.
The new GES Ferrari Logistic Building, the logistics centre of the Formula 1 team (architect Luigi Sturchio), along with the MEF - Museum Enzo Ferrari by Future Systems + Shiro Studio (architects Morgante and Jan Kaplický) paved the way for a chance to engage with an iconic brand like Ferrari, Italy's symbol of design and engineering around the world.
Last but not least was the Mare Verticale, a poetically shaped steel sculpture erected by Fabrizio Plessi for the Venice Biennale.
„Each project is individually designed and constitutes a prototype, so to speak.“
Walter Pichler
Pichler projects is a dream come true. Today it’s an international company with a strong family identity. We are driven by the desire to grow, to drive things forward, and to successfully apply our wealth of experience garnered over the years. Walter Pichler is a visionary with big plans. One of them is Africa, a superlative continent with incredible potential. This will be a long-term relationship, an additional chapter in an extraordinary story still unfolding. This story began in the Eggental valley in the heart of the Dolomites.
