In 2012, the Autostadt in Wolfsburg welcomed a new feature, the Porsche Pavilion. This pavilion has developed a distinctive silhouette, becoming a notable symbol in the theme park's lagoon landscape. HENN Architekten created this brand new pavilion for the sports car maker, Porsche, as a structure with a naturalistic shape. It boasts a softly shining roof that curves over and encloses around 400 square meters of exhibition and presentation spaces.
Curving lines and exciting bends make the pavilion a dynamic yet reduced sculpture with its characteristics derived from the Porsche brand image. In the seamless building envelope the racy lines pick up speed, reduce their tempo again and send out additional radii. A matte finished stainless steel cladding forms the flush envelope of this vibrant structure, creating the impression of a homogeneous unity whilst creating a continuously changing appearance depending on light and weather conditions.
At its point of entry, the pavilion juts out for around 25 metres above the water surface of the lagoon. Under this large, asymmetrically shaped roof a sheltered external space opens up with seats for several hundred visitors. The roof optically connects the surrounding landscape and forms a secure acoustic enclosure. HENN set out to design an architecture and landscape; interior and exterior; roof and façade that were a homogenous and flowing continuum. Meanwhile, the exterior of the pavilion designed by WES Landscape Architects was integrated into the overall concept of the theme park.
Similar to the monocoque type construction used in lightweight construction in the automotive and aircraft industries, the space-forming building envelope assumes a supportive function. A total of 620 stainless steel sheets were welded together with reinforcing ribs, prefabricated in a shipyard in Stralsund and assembled on site.
Inside the pavilion a concentrated space opens out to provide a tangible experience of the Porsche sports car brand and its history. The elliptically curved ramp takes the fundamental dynamic principle of the architecture and leads visitors down to the presentation area. The exhibition and presentation concept designed by hg merz architekten museumsgestalter and jangled nerves combines the evolution, the engineering and the fascination of Porsche in one memorable image of pioneering tradition. The Original Porsche – a 356 No.1 built in 1948 – is the starting point for a swarm of 25 silver coloured vehicle models at the scale of 1:3, on show in the main exhibition area.
Tradition and innovation, performance and day-to-day-practicality, design and functionality, exclusiveness and social acceptance: these four antagonistic terms characterise Porsche’s values and philosophy. They are also picked up as themes in short films. A film about the company history, sound stories about selected Porsche models as well as tablet PCs with further information about the exhibited vehicles come together to create a unique experience out of the visit of the pavilion.
If you've been inspired by pavilion buildings, you won't want to miss our exclusive article on the captivating design of Tverrfjellhytta in Hjerkinn.
Project Information
Architect:
HENN Architekten
Location:
Wolfsburg, Germany
Client: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG & Autostadt GmbH
Design Team: Prof. Dr. Gunter Henn, Martin Henn, Klaus Ransmayr Paul Langley
Structural Engineers: Schlaich Bergermann und Partner Prof. Dr. Mike Schlaich, Achim Bleicher, Thomas Schoknecht, Sebastian Linden
Quantity Surveying: Paul Lawrence Lars Becker, Wolfgang Malisius
Construction Management: Wolfgang Wrba, Siegfried Kruse, Hendrik Noack, Karl Rosebrock
Area: 1 400 sqm
Status: Completed, 2012
Photographs: HG Esch
