Autobahnraststätte Pratteln, Highway bridge restaurant in Pratteln, Switzerland
Autobahnraststätte Pratteln is a bridge structure that spans across the highway and houses two restaurants along with a shopping area containing about 15 stores. The facility connects both sides of the motorway and serves as a rest stop for travelers.
The structure opened in 1978 after construction plans were delayed by the 1973 oil crisis. The Basel-based architects Casoni & Casoni designed this bridge project for the region.
The building holds the designation of a class B Swiss cultural property of regional importance, marked by 56 distinctive porthole windows that define its appearance. These windows give the structure its recognizable look and make it a visible landmark along the highway.
The location is easily accessible from the highway and offers parking spaces along with restaurants and shopping options for travelers. Visitors should keep in mind that the facility is primarily designed as a rest stop for motorists and can become quite busy during peak travel times.
In 2000, Cuban artist Jorge Pardo transformed the original orange-brown facade into yellow-orange using glass-fiber reinforced polyester resin. This artistic intervention significantly changed the building's exterior and made it even more visible along the highway.
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