Restaurant “Le Panoramic” – Schnepfenried, France

The Panoramic Restaurant in Schnepfenried, France was built in 2012 to serve visitors of the ski region in the Munster Valley. Designed by Ateliers d-Form with structural engineering from Optime Ingénierie, the project demonstrates how MEGANT and RICON connectors can be used together to deliver a durable and architecturally striking timber building.

Construction was carried out by Dattler and completed in just six months (July–December 2012), with a total investment of €11 million for the facility.

Key highlights:

Connector technology: MEGANT connectors (load capacity up to 320 kN) were used for heavy-duty beam joints, while RICON connectors provided fast and precise assembly for other timber elements.
Construction method: Mixed construction using laminated timber, glass, and steel elements for both strength and modern architectural appeal.
Efficiency: Prefabricated elements allowed rapid installation even under challenging mountain conditions.
Building volume: approx. 1,050 m², designed to accommodate large visitor traffic.
Design integration: The timber structure, paired with extensive glass, created a panoramic dining experience with views of the surrounding Alps.

This project illustrates the flexibility of MEGANT and RICON connectors in large-scale commercial timber buildings, delivering both structural capacity and architectural elegance.