Barkow Leibinger

Barkow Leibinger
Schillerstraße 94, D–10625 Berlin
T +49(0)30 315712 -0 F -29
info@barkowleibinger.com
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Olympic Exhibition Hall Leipzig

With its height and situation at the cross point Olympic Bridge and Entry Plaza, the new building provides view over the entire site. At the same time, the building serves as a landmark which is visible within the city context.

Typologically the pavilion reacts to the planned architecture of the surrounding sport areas. The master plan foresees several round and oval arenas, integrated sculpturally in to landscape. This new ‘module’ works as an additional ‘satellite’ within this system. Its form, construction, and materiality embody the qualities which characterize high performance sport: movement, weightlessness, strength and efficiency.

The lobby, service zones, shop, and cafeteria are situated in the ground floor. The flexible exhibition area on levels 2 and 3 can be divided into a big space 800 sqm and a smaller one of 400 sqm. The administration of the sport museum is located on the upper levels 5 and 6 the as well as the Leipzig sport clubs and the sport and bath department. The roof serves as an observatory platform with a surface similar to a running field.

The construction consists of floor plates which rest on an irregular triangular steel frame. Inside, three cast-in-concrete steel columns are carry a circular girder which supports the upper administration floors. The circular, exterior steel ramps are carried by cantilevers which are connected to all levels.

The ‘soft’ skin of the pavilion is braced by steel cables spanning between horizontal bands to which a resistant membrane is attached. A gentle wind makes the exterior skin move. It serves as a sun and weather protection system as well as a screen for the changing intensities of sunlight during the day and for artificial light and text presentation at night.      

Project Information

Architects — Barkow Leibinger, Berlin, Frank Barkow, Regine Leibinger

 

Location

Leipzig, Germany

 

Competition

2003