04.02.2010
Stuttgart know-how at the Expo in Shanghai
The highlight of the German Pavilion: the interactive pendulum can be moved by acoustic signals (© University of Stuttgart).
Scientists from Stuttgart have provided the key know-how for two major projects for the Expo 2010 in Shanghai: the actuation concept for a spectacular giant pendulum in the German Pavilion and for one of the world's largest membrane roofs, which spans almost 100 metres of the main entrance axis to the Expo.
Around 70 million visitors will flock under the membrane roof to the exhibition from May to October. The 65,000 square metres of roof will be supported by very few masts and six steel-glass 35-metre funnels. The "Sun Valley" funnels divert daylight down to the basement floors. Alongside the Chinese host's pavilion, this is the biggest construction on the entire Expo grounds. The design for the membrane roof in Shanghai was created by Li Hong and Bianca Nitsch, both of whom graduated in Stuttgart eight years ago. Today they jointly manage the architectural firm SBA in Stuttgart and Shanghai. The roof construction was developed by the engineering firm "Knippers Helbig Beratende Ingenieure" in which the Stuttgart-based architecture professor Jan Knippers is a key figure. The construction reflects Stuttgart's tradition of lightweight suspended roof structures originally conceptualised by the former Stuttgart-based professors Frei Otto and Jörg Schlaich.
Know-how from Stuttgart is also responsible for the highlight of the German Pavilion: an interactive sphere equipped with 400,000 LED lamps which can be excited by acoustic signals to make swinging and circular movements. The sphere will show visitors pictures and films from Germany on the general theme of the exhibition: "better city, better life" and on the Pavilion motto of "balancity – A City in Balance". Acoustic signals can even influence the direction of the 1.2 tonne pendulum's swing. The extremely complex control and drive concept for this almost six metre long illuminated sphere was developed by scientists from several institutes at the University of Stuttgart. The pendulum is designed to run safely and reliably for the entire duration of the Expo, should not require any maintenance and consistently evoke the impression of a freely swinging sphere. The pendulum was jointly developed by Metron and the Stuttgart-based exhibition design firm "Milla und Partner". Students also benefited from the development as an entire group of them were able to integrate their studies and degree theses in the project.
