The international trekking and adventure travel company ASI Reisen sought to have its new space reflect the company’s working culture and commitment to offering sustainable experiences for travelers around the world. Inspired by a symbiosis between nature and humanity, the four-story structure combines timber frame construction with solid wooden elements. The basement and the building core are made of reinforced concrete. Generous glass surfaces offer employees panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests, and a large staircase and a double-height foyer create a welcoming space for visitors. For the facade, a traditional Japanese method of wood preservation was used, known as yakisugi. A green curtain of climbing plants growing on a suspended metal frame change the appearance of the facade throughout the year. This vegetal skin ensures that the building blends into its verdant forest surroundings, also serving as a glare shield and for shading the generous glass surfaces. On the western side, the employees can use this metal frame as a balcony. The microclimate created by this green buffer zone reduces the energy required for cooling the building...[+]