Bahnhöfli Gams
The Challenge
The terrace at the Bahnhöfli restaurant in Gams offers a fantastic panoramic view of the Kreuzberge mountains and toward Toggenburg. It’s the perfect place to savor a moment of tranquility. As a result, this spot is very popular. So we had to renovate efficiently over the winter months, dividing the work into three phases, to minimize disruption to business operations.
The “Bahnhöfli Gams” is located right next to the tracks, across from the Gams-Werdenberg Golf Club.
A view of the new bar.
The Schöb family, who commissioned the project, wanted an outdoor buffet area with a bar, new furniture, and lighting that would beautifully showcase the space. The furnishings and layout were to be suitable for year-round use and provide ample space for guest service and everything that goes with it: beverages, beverage coolers and glasses, a service station, a coffee machine, a beer tap, and so on.
We've made it our mission to find durable, weather-resistant materials that are functional and, through their design, create a cozy indoor atmosphere.
The space is designed to accommodate up to 120 guests for weddings and other events. To achieve this, the layout must be flexible enough to be rearranged as needed.
Before: Terrace
After: Terrace with a bar as the focal point
The Idea
The buffet in the center is both the centerpiece and an open reception area, drawing guests in and guiding them as soon as they walk from the parking lot along the path to the terrace.
To visually emphasize this focal point—where the bar action takes place—we’ll make the tall cabinets appear as a floor-to-ceiling wall that also covers the back wall.
The path from the dining tables through the house to the restrooms leads past the bar. A display rack serves as a divider and provides some privacy; it doubles as both a decorative element and a service station.
Hand-drawn sketch of one of the buffet options
Hand-drawn sketch of the garden
Tension Across Various Areas
Beneath the wooden pergola, a cozy nook has been created where guests sit on a slightly elevated, custom-designed wooden platform that can also be used as a stage for a variety of occasions.
In the covered lounge area, any weather is now perfect for relaxing with a drink. Among the trees lit by lanterns, there’s space for a “kiosk” serving ice cream, bread, and other snacks. These little touches in every corner give the terrace a fresh sense of excitement that captivates the crowd.
Floor Plan Sketch
The Colors
We combined our “Forty Shades of Green” color scheme with the rustic industrial style inherent in the train station and the tracks themselves. We selected a variety of natural shades of green, with a darker shade in the background that enhances the ambiance. We incorporated the rusty hue of the old railroad tracks into the buffet and the curtains, which contrast beautifully with the dark green.
The Light
The bar is indirectly lit along the counter and directly lit from above by weather- and wind-resistant pendant lights. Each table features a candle or battery-powered lantern that casts a cozy glow.
The Execution
First, we assembled the buffet and the partition frame and installed them. At the same time, we hired the painters and electricians to do their work. We decided to wait a while before installing the platform.
We designed and crafted the buffet with a subtle front relief, which is accentuated by indirect lighting. The warm beige tone used for this purpose stands out strikingly against the green background.
We equipped the tall cabinets with a hinged-door mechanism that allows them to be either fully open or fully closed. Both positions always look “right” and do not interfere with the staff’s work. The externally visible structure—inspired by the surrounding cornfields and mystical stories of crop circles—is milled and coated with textured paint.
The selected chairs and tables are sturdy, lightweight, and easy to stack. Several herb carts placed between the tables and privacy screens that draw the eye toward the greenery create the feeling of sitting in the middle of a lush garden.
As soon as the next phases are implemented, we'll post more photos and information here. Stay tuned!
More pictures:
Click to enlarge.
