ski gondola re-imagined as a giant vending machine

design miami basel 2013 presented the ‘vernier mountain climbers exhibition’, conceived and managed by three young entrepreneurs from geneva – inès flammarion, nicolas bernheim and albert schrurs. the project is a collection of vintage ski gondolas from verbier, switzerland which have been re-imagined and adapted into new, unique objects by seven of switzerland’s most recognized designers and artists. one of the more unusual and whimsical solutions displayed at the event was baker wardlaw’s ‘vending machine’.

the project was presented as part of design miami 2013
image © annik wetter
(main) image © annik wetter

after dismantling the original structure, baker wardlaw refinished the original materials, filled his new structure almost entirely with quintessential vending machine goodies, and added a dispenser to retrieve your toy. the gondola is an iconic piece of swiss industrial design, and their 40-year history makes this re-purposed object a playful piece of retro art.

a toy dispenser on the side of the vending machine
image © annik wetter

the swiss ski gondola: an iconic piece of industrial design
image © mountain climbers

the original gondolas before they had been redesigned
image © mountain climbers

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