project

green house for the Botanic garden of Aarhus

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General information

  • Location address
    Aarhus
  • Location country
    Denmark
  • Function of building
    Shelters
  • Degree of enclosure
    Fully enclosed structure
  • Climatic zone
    Temperate - cold winters and mild summers
  • Number of layers
    mono-layer
  • Type of application of the membrane
    covering
  • Primary function of the tensile structure
    • Rain protection
    • Sun protection
    • Thermal insulation

Description

An elliptical cupola structure forms the envelope for a new green house in the botanical garden of Aarhus. It is used for plant cultivation thus tropical and subtropical plants can be grown in an environmentally controlled area. ETFE cushions are used, which do not block the UV radiation.
The primary structure consists of ten arches in each direction, longitudinal and transversal. The maximum arch span is approx. 41m and the maximum arch rise is approx. 17.5m. The arch distance varies form the dome base to the dome apex (between 1.6m and 4,9m). The dome is symmetric by one axis, and covered with ETFE-cushions. They are double layer cushions towards west, north and east and triple layer cushions with integrated shading toward the south and in the zenith of the dome.
Steel brackets are attached to the main steel structure to carry the aluminium extrusion profiles, which form the perimeter of the ETFE-cushions. The aluminium profiles follow a 3 dimensional curve, and are bended and drilled in 2 directions. Under the extrusion profile is a gutter to accumulate condensate. Some of the cushions are used for pneumatic shading. These are the triple layer cushions, with outer and middle layers which are printed. The middle layer can be moved by changing the air pressure from the in- to the outside. When the inner layer is close to the outer layer, the shading is more effective. The rest of the cushions are transparent with double layers. In total there are 34 triple layer cushions and 90 double layer cushions, which are supplied by a central blower unit. Different pressure levels can be applied, normal, half snow and full snow. Furthermore the blower system provides a differential pressure to form and to move the middle layer of the cushions. In the zenith of the roof two triangular windows are also covered with ETFE- cushions. These can be opened to provide natural ventilation or as smoke exhaust in case of fire.

Description of the environmental conditions

Material of the cover

  • Cable-net/Fabric/Hybrid/Foil
    Foil
  • Material Fabric/Foil
    ETFE-foil

Main dimensions and form

  • Covered surface (m2)
    1145
  • Maximum height (m)
    17

Duration of use

  • Temporary or permanent structure
    Permanent

Involved companies

Editor