Nestled in the heart of the German town of 📍 Baunach, this footbridge stands as a testament to seamless integration and elegant design.
As a link between the urban center and the extensive greenery on the eastern bank of the river Baunach, the eastern end of the bridge enriches the recreational possibilities along the river and connects the old town with the nature trail "Baunach-Südsee". With its slender profile and variable cross-section, the bridge delicately complements the neighboring historic stone Baunach Bridge. Stainless steel cable railings emphasize its transparency, making the structure almost invisible. Designed as an integral, fixed steel box girder on a pile foundation, the bridge spans the Baunach river over a distance of 40 meters and combines functionality with grace.

architecture: RSP Architekten und Stadtplaner, Bayreuth
structural engineering: #schlaichbergermannpartner

photo credit 📷: Ulrich Wrede, Lutz Jungwirth

#schlaichbergermann #sbp
#thebeautyofstructures
#sbpbridges #steelbridge
#lightingdesign
#footbridge ...

In the heart of the city 📍 Luxembourg, Ernst & Young's Plaza Roof is surrounded by banks, government offices and European institutions.
The company's headquarters was designed to open up to the street with a generous glass roof. This creates a bright, covered outdoor space with a high amenity value, which is complemented by the surrounding cafés and stores.
The challenge was to design a roof with an extraordinarly low rise height to prevent it from projecting too far above the roof level of the building. The Plaza Roof structure is characterized by its two-way spanned dome-like steel grid over a diamond-shaped footprint, suspension cables, and quadrangular glass pane cladding. Tilted glass panes on all sides ensure that the eaves remain continuously horizontal.

architecture: @sauerbruchhutton
structural engineering: #schlaichbergermannpartner

photo credit 📷: Jan Bitter

#schlaichbergermann #sbp
#thebeautyofstructures
#gridshell #glass
#ErnstandYoung ...

The Hudson Park Subway Canopies in 📍 New York City are not only architecturally stunning but also a significant addition to New York's transit system. The entrance canopies and a nearby café were designed by @toshiko.mori.architect and represent a true masterpiece of engineering. The limited number of support points within the park creates an impressive sense of lightness – each of the two stainless steel roofs is securely anchored at just three points in the terrain. The lightweight grid shell structure not only provides high strength and corrosion resistance but has also been designed to prevent birds from perching on its supporting cables. These canopies are part of the 7 Line extension and, with their 230 m² and 160 m² of roof space, rank among the largest subway entrances in the entire Metropolitan Transportation Authority's network.

photo credit 📷: sbp/@stephan_hollinger

#schlaichbergermannpartner
#schlaichbergermann #sbp
#thebeautyofstructures
#stainlesssteel #gridshell
#glass ...

Now that the Wildpark Stadium in 📍Karlsruhe, Germany, has been replaced, the KSC stadium meets all the requirements of the 2nd Bundesliga.
The hallmark of this stadium are the Y-shaped precast concrete pillars that blend seamlessly into the surrounding forest landscape. The imposing 17-meter-high-supports, each consisting of two precast concrete components, serve not only as a structural element but also as tension braces anchoring the moments from the roof structure. The roof bands at various levels create a unified frame around the entire stadium and are supported by simple steel roof trusses, visually unified by the encircling roof bands. This structural system is not only minimalist, but also extremely cost-effective. Each visible element serves a specific purpose.

architecture: agn Niederberghaus & Partner GmbH
structural engineering: #schlaichbergermannpartner

photo credit 📷: sbp/Knut Göppert

#schlaichbergermann #sbp
#thebeautyofstructures
#stadium #sbpstadia
#precastconcrete
#steel ...

The Silk Road International Exhibition Center in 📍 Xi'an, China is not only a hub for exchange and innovation but also a remarkable architectural marvel. Drawing inspiration from the ancient city wall and Xi'an's urban landscape, it seamlessly blends traditional elements with contemporary design. The natural stone walls of the hall pay homage to the majestic city wall, while the undulating roof mirrors the sand dunes of the Silk Road, creating a breathtaking silhouette. The towering entrance gate, a cultural symbol, is visible from a distance. The tiered roof structure with cross-shaped columns adds an element of grace to the building. The entire exhibition complex consists of ten symmetrical buildings with double-arranged exhibition halls emphasized by a curved roof. The central exhibition hall boasts an impressive span of 90 meters and a doubly symmetrical support structure. Beneath the buildings, there is an expansive parking facility that covers the entire area of the exhibition complex.

architecture: @gmp.architects
structural engineering: #schlaichbergermannpartner

photo credit 📷: @creatarimages

#schlaichbergermann #sbp
#thebeautyofstructures
#silkroad #tradefair
#steel #glass ...

The King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, holds more than its title as a stadium; it reflects architectural brilliance and embodies cherished heritage. Constructed in January 1985, this iconic structure boasts a proud age of over 38 years, standing as an impressive engineering feat.
Inspired by the expansive desert landscape, the stadium's design pays tribute to the Bedouin tradition with its circular layout, reminiscent of white tents. The vast PTFE-glass fiber membrane, covering over 50,000 m², captures the desert's natural beauty and vastness. The stadium's roof is a meticulous engineering masterpiece, composed of 24 identical circular units. Each unit combines a 58-meter vertical mast with an inclined support, intricately linked by a network of cables. These cables suspend the PTFE-coated fiberglass membrane, creating a captivating display that showcases human creativity and innovation. While not a traditional cable-net roof, the inner ring cable creates a captivating illusion of an open roof, enriching the stadium's atmosphere and offering a distinctive experience for visitors.

architecture: Ian Fraser Associates, London
structural engineering: #schlaichbergermannpartner

photo credit 📷: sbp/Mathias Widmayer

#schlaichbergermann #sbp
#thebeautyofstructures
#membrane #stadium
#sbpstadia #sbpclassic ...

In our pursuit of greener, more sustainable energy sources, our team at sbp sonne has collaborated with KÉSZ MetalTech to design and build a groundbreaking prototype for a photovoltaic parking canopy. This project aims to provide a turnkey solution for generating clean energy from vast parking areas.
Our innovative system is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly sustainable with minimal emissions. Compared to other canopy systems on the market, our design requires less material and significantly reduces installation efforts. The system features bifacial PV panels that generate power from both sides, enabling the charging of electric vehicles parked underneath. Any surplus electricity is seamlessly fed back into the grid, contributing to a cleaner and more efficient energy landscape. Our lightweight construction ensures maximum weather protection for parked vehicles without the need for bulky support structures. This minimizes space loss and enhances the parking experience

photo credit 📷: KÉSZ Metaltech Ltd.

#schlaichbergermannpartner
#schlaichbergermann #sbp
#thebeautyofstructures
#sbpsonne #ppv
#cleanenergy ...

Located in 📍 Chengdu, China, the Chengdu Jingdong Headquarters stands as the iconic hub of JD.com, a prominent online retailer.
Designed by gmp · Architects von Gerkan, Marg, and Partner in collaboration with China Academy of Building Research, this 12-story building showcases innovation at its finest. The structure boasts a unique design with three interconnected volumes stacked at right angles, forming an elegant figure-eight shape. This design not only creates green courtyards and rooftop gardens but also offers flexible office spaces flooded with natural light. At the core of Chengdu Jingdong Headquarters lies a practical architectural concept – nine robust building cores that efficiently distribute loads. This smart strategy ensures maximum flexibility for allocating its expansive 12,500 square meters of floor space. These cores act as the primary load-bearing framework, evenly distributed throughout the building. The building's facade is a blend of sleek concrete elements and glass surfaces, housing operable ventilation panels. This design not only provides plenty of natural light in the interior spaces, but also an ever-shifting play of transparency and enclosure which creates a unique character for the building in its urban setting.

architecture: @gmp.architects
structural engineering: #schlaichbergermannpartner

photo credit 📷: @schranimage

#schlaichbergermann #sbp
#thebeautyofstructures
#headquarters
#sbpbuildings
#glass ...

We're pleased to share the latest progress on the Williams Crossing Pedestrian Bridge. This remarkable architectural gem is poised to become a significant symbol for 📍 Tulsa, Oklahoma. Designed to replace an older bridge, this 439-meter-long structure seamlessly links the eastern and western banks of the Arkansas River, connecting the "The Gathering Place" park project with nearby neighborhoods.
Featuring an elegant bowstring design crafted from resilient steel and supported by a sturdy concrete superstructure, the Williams Crossing Pedestrian Bridge showcases a remarkable blend of engineering and artistic ingenuity. The bridge deck, spanning 5.5 meters in width and covering an area of 2,400 square meters, gracefully rises an impressive 13.7 meters above the Arkansas River. The Williams Crossing Pedestrian Bridge represents a significant milestone. Its semi-integrated design highlights slender arches, fashioned from an 8 cm thick layer of weather-resistant steel – a pioneering achievement in the USA. As the evening sets in, these arches come to life with enchanting lighting that dances upon the river's surface, captivating both locals and visitors alike. We eagerly await the completion of this masterpiece, gracing Tulsa's skyline in 2024.

structural engineering: #schlaichbergermannpartner
landscape architecture: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

photo credit 📷: Drone Optix / Crossland Construction | sbp/Stephan Hollinger

#schlaichbergermann #sbp
#thebeautyofstructures
#weatherresistantsteel
#pedestrianbridge
#construction
#sbpbridges ...

Nestled in the heart of 📍Brasília and serving as the central axis of the city, the National Stadium Brasília underwent a remarkable transformation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The architects at Castro Mello collaborated with sbp and gmp Architects to bring to life a new stadium bowl, accompanied by a circular esplanade and a unique double-layer suspended roof.
Boasting an expansive membrane roof spanning 55,155 square meters, the stadium provides shade to 71,000 seats beneath. The supporting columns and esplanade are crafted from reinforced concrete, ensuring both strength and elegance. The innovative design draws inspiration from the symmetrical spoke wheel principle. Moreover, in a groundbreaking effort towards sustainability, the architects introduced the concept of integrating photovoltaic modules and rainwater collection systems, highlighting the commitment to an eco-conscious approach for the refurbishment of the stadium.

architecture: @gmp.architects | Castro Mello Arquitetos, São Paulo
structural engineering: #schlaichbergermannpartner

photo credit 📷: @marcusbredt

#schlaichbergermann #sbp
#thebeautyofstructures
#FIFA2014 #stadium
#membraneroof
#sbpstadia ...