Stefan Unnewehr
Schwimmender Zeppelinhangar. RWTH Aachen (Germany)
Aim
Design of a floating airship hangar on the Bodensee for the Zeppelin LZ N07 built in Friedrichshafen since 1997. Building construction lay out for prefabrication and export.
Concept
Design of a hall fully to be opened, special inscenation of convertible process; idea of platform free of obstacles.
Elements
Buoyancy body
A construction borrowed from the type semisubmersible, well known in marine technique, is designated to guarantee the floating function in this design. The immersing depth is being regulated by ballast water pumped into the main buoyancy body. The voluminous columns are used as complimentary buoyancy bodies for varying loads. The minimal surface on the waterline of the columns stabilizes the security of the hangar. The building is constructed in the typical rib construction in the marine technique.
Hall
The hall is designed as a construction completely to be opened in order to minimize the risk of accident on the process of entering and leaving.
The roof top hinged in the periphery is linked to a vertical movement of the platform itself thus granting a special effect and a broad view to the passengers during take off and landing. Both movements are contra-rotating. The opening mechanism of the roof consists of a four-part gear-system driven by hydraulic cylinders. The platform is elevated by a connecting rod.
Bow and stern surface
The surfaces of bow and stern are designed circularly as folding transparent façades in acrylic glass. The façade divides up in the vertex and is led to the lower seatings by tractors. A hydraulic system lowers the now visible triangle of the façade beneath the upper level of platform.
Room programme
The bridge, café and workshop are situated in the front area of the hangar as a solid core. Boats reach the landing pier beneath the platform.
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