Project Details
Cooperation
Cooperation between the institute and Planex was initiated by Dipl.-Ing. Jürgen W. Hennicke, who is in charge of the project team "Plusminus". Mr. Hennicke was a colleague of Frei Otto, who is considered as a thought leader in membrane technology. In a letter to Planex, the project team "Plusminus" wrote (translated to English):
In the name of the project team Plusminus we would like to thank you very much indeed for your generous support. Without your help and the trust you put in us, the completion of this project would not have been possible.
The Principle of the Pneumatic Gridshell
In architecture, the gridshell is considered one of the most efficient plane load-bearing structures. A gridshell comprises rod-shaped elements which form a grid. The construction can span large areas without support columns and with a minimum usage of material. In addition, nearly any shape can be achieved.
The pneumatic gridshell goes one step further: the orthogonal rod-shaped elements forming the grid are replaced by inflated tubes made of plastic film which are flexibly connected to each other at the intersection points. When the grid has reached its final shape, the intersection points are locked into position so that the gridshell can function as a load-bearing structure. The structure is locked into position by means of two plastic films "wrapped" around the whole structure, one film directly above and one film directly below the grid. Between those two plastic films a vacuum is created, pressing the inflated tubes against each other and thus stabilizing the gridshell.
By using air-supported systems, the weight of a construction can be reduced considerably. But aesthetics also play a major role: The lightness and the structure of the grid provide for a very unique feeling of space.
Fields of Application
The pneumatic gridshell is designed for temporary usage. It convinces with fast assembly and disassembly as well as with a lightweight construction. Because the air-supported membrane can be set up in a great variety of shapes, it is a real eye catcher and has many fields of application, for example concerts, events, or exhibitions.