The connecting links between the exhibition pavilions of the new trade fair in Milano are covered by innovative steel-glass-structures. At the main entrance the ‘Logo’ arises: A double-curved free-formed surface, which ascends in the sky like a volcano. This structure will be recognized from afar as the new fair’s landmark. A 1,300 m long and 30 m wide free-formed glass roof, the so-called ‘Vela’, links the individual exhibition halls together along the main axis of the trade fair and absorbs the nearby Alps in its architectural design. Both grids are made up of primarily triangular meshes, which were generated through quadrangular meshes into which diagonal rods were inserted. Particularly challenging was the development of a mesh grid, which would flow seamlessly from the quadrangular mesh within the flat region into the triangular mesh within the freely formed funnel region.

Logo roof surface: 4,300 m²
Length: 119 m
Width: 22 – 37 m
Height: 37 m

Vela roof surface: 46,300 m²
Length: 1,300 m
Width: 32 – 41 m
Height: 0 – 26 m

Logo:
Steel structure: 3.800 bars, 1.500 nodes
Roof surface: 4.300 m² (57 % insulation glazing, 43 % aluminium panels)

Vela:
Roof surface: 46.300 m² (laminated safety glass)
Steel structure: 38.00 bars, 16.500 nodes