From storage cylinder to knowledge centre, tourist attraction and city icon.
Under construction, a cylindrical-shaped storage centre will be a dynamic sculpture, a city icon, a knowledge hub on sustainable energy and fully accessible to the public with city views.
The existing cylindrical-shaped storage centre is transformed into a dynamic sculpture, a city icon, a knowledge hub on sustainable energy and fully accessible to the public with city views.
A multi-layered facade structure is inspired by the geometries of nature. An inner shell coloured in different shades of blue wraps the building. Tilted elliptical rings positioned around the cylinder continue in the outer façade with "energy loops" circling the structure and rising dramatically to the top. A cable network between the steel rings forms the outer façade layer.
Around 20,000 diamond-shaped plates of thin stainless steel are hooked with a simple elastic connection in the meshes of this steel network allowing them to twist up to 90 degrees in the wind.
The complex interplay of movement, light and shadow is generated by sun and wind, with no additional energy or complicated technology required.
Visitors will reach an elliptical entrance level where two elevators take them to a roof terrace with large staggered terraces and event spaces and a bistro.
The complex will be one of the tallest buildings in Heidelberg and will be a strong symbol of the transition towards renewables.
A multi-layered facade structure is inspired by the geometries of nature. An inner shell coloured in different shades of blue wraps the building. Tilted elliptical rings positioned around the cylinder continue in the outer façade with "energy loops" circling the structure and rising dramatically to the top. A cable network between the steel rings forms the outer façade layer. Around 11,000 diamond-shaped plates of thin stainless steel are hooked with an ingenious connection to this steel network allowing them to twist up to 45 degrees in the wind.
The complex interplay of movement, light and shadow is generated by sun and wind, with no additional energy or complicated technology required.
Visitors will be welcolmed by an elliptical entrance level where two elevators take them to a roof terrace with large staggered terraces and event spaces and a bistro.
The complex will be one of the tallest buildings in Heidelberg and a strong symbol of the transition towards renewables.
The project links to LAVA's 2009 UTS reskin concept/research. UTS
LAVA’s design won a 2018 International Architecture Award and the Future Project Award in 2017 WAFX Awards ‘heralding the world’s most forward-looking architectural concepts’.
