{"id":1065,"date":"2012-11-27T06:27:24","date_gmt":"2012-11-27T06:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/compositesandarchitecture.com\/?p=1065"},"modified":"2012-11-12T06:28:21","modified_gmt":"2012-11-12T06:28:21","slug":"a-soft-stadium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kreysler.zaab.org\/?p=1065","title":{"rendered":"A Soft Stadium"},"content":{"rendered":"

The new Stadium Miejski in the Polish city of Wroclaw was the result of an architectural competition, catalyzed by Poland\u2019s selection (along with Ukraine) to host 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, known as EURO 2012.\u00a0 The winning design, by JSK Architekci, features a translucent mesh membrane that wraps the exterior.<\/p>\n

The membrane is a soft composite of glass fiber coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).\u00a0 It is wrapped around five horizontal structural steel rings that band the stadium.\u00a0\u00a0 The shape and location of the rings, and prevailing wind, determine the shape of the membrane.\u00a0 The fa\u00e7ade starts at 3.5m above the esplanade level, with a distance of 30 m between the bottom and top rings.\u00a0 \u00a0The third and fourth rings are both tilted so that neither is parallel to the top and bottom, nor to each other, giving the building a visual sense of undulation.<\/p>\n

The membrane provides shelter from wind and rain. \u00a0It is also visually versatile: an internal LED lighting system allows the skin to be illuminated in different colors, so that the entire building’s appearance and mood can be altered to suit sports, musical performances, or other events.\u00a0The design process for the mesh included a simulation to determine the amount of open area necessary for proper smoke ventilation.\u00a0 The stadium seats 40,000.<\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of JSK Architekci<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t