HPSA undulates carpark membrane at linz airport in austria

HPSA undulates carpark membrane at linz airport in austria
all images courtesy of HPSA

austrian studio HPSA has completed an undulating carpark roof using 30 separate funnel-shaped membranes. located in front of the main entrance of linz airport in austria, the lightweight construction has capacity for 250 places. if necessary, the shelter can be quickly and cost-effectively dismantled and rebuilt at another site if a multi-storey building needs to be built. the components have individual dimensions of 11×18 m covering a total area of 6040 square meters, while the internal membrane hides the steel structure to the viewer.

during the course of the day as shadows appear and fade, the surface of the exterior skin also changes. all of the components are merged into one plastic unit – the load bearing beams, membrane and sewerage needs. the roof material is made of PVC coated polyester fabrics with 10% light transmission and 7% solar transmission, leaving the parking light and preventing vehicles from overheating.

front elevation of the carpark

the funnels are attached to steel frames, which were mostly already assembled on the ground and afterwards lifted by crane to transport them to the exact position – the textile funnels were then fixed on by rail fastenings. this static construction method ensures that the heavy snow load in winter does not endanger its stability. due to the high degree of prefabrication, the steel and textile form was finished within a short period of just four weeks. during the nighttime, the building is illuminated by four ground lights with each column turning the building into a glowing sculpture.

the linz airport carpark illuminated at night

the funnel-shaped membrane extends over the carpark

overview of the membrane / steel structure

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.