PHÄNOMENTA
Science Centre
The striking tower on the extension
of the PHÄNOMENTA Science Centre
in Lüdenscheid has the potential to
become a famous landmark and a
symbol of architectural and engineering
excellence. Based on a feasibility
study by schneider+schumacher, the
interdisciplinary collaboration between
KKW Architekten, WERNER Bauingenieure
and formTL Ingenieure created an
impressive steelwork truss tower that
encompasses a helix shaped membrane
stretched over its interior. By applying
the tower-in-tower principle, this primary
structure encloses a Foucault pendulum
that is suspended independently of
the secondary bearing structure. This
defined separation allows the pendulum
to move freely without being influenced
by wind and vibrations from the primary
structure, thus allowing visitors to the
Science Centre to observe the Earth's
rotation.
Archetech - Page 26
The tower is just one part of the
extension to PHÄNOMENTA: a twostorey extension creates an additional
1,400 m2 of exhibition space and
zones characterised by expressive
forms. This is a direct is a result of the
requirements of the tower's geometry
but it also ensures the functionality of the
exhibition space. The monolithic design
of the concrete building also serves as
the foundation for the distinctive steel
structure. The framework consists of
diagonally supported struts throughout
the concrete structure and the elegant
light-weight steel truss tower structure
is made up of triangular circular hollow
tube sections that are welded airtight.
The complex design, incorporated nodes
where up to six pipes meet at various
angles, required a comprehensive
3D CAD analysis. Membrane forces
associated with pretensioning and wind
are channelled directly into the junctions
with a view to prevent ing excessive
bending stress on the frames. In order to
facilitate with hoisting and assembling
of the individual tower segments, special
screw connections were arranged in the
frames beside the junctions and covered
with special semi-cylindrical metal sheets.
This eliminated the need for welding
work at heights and concealed the
segmentation sections.
The helix membrane inside the steelwork
supporting structure appears delicate
Architects: KKW Architekten
www.kkw-architekten.de
Photos courtesy of Carsten Kramer, Alexander
Ring, E-Komm IT & Kommunikation,
beier+wellach projekte, Rutzen, Pressestelle
Stadt LÅdenscheid, Trillian GmbH
and light – "a structure that is almost
barely there," as described by formTL CEO
Gerd Schmid – and yet it is still visually
impressive. The helix consists of just
three structural components: 990 m² of
membrane, three structural cables and
nine anchoring rods with clamps. These
elements are sufficient to enable the
membrane to adhere to the rotating and
vertically tapered tower structure. While
the calculated maximum form guarantees
collision clearance from the outer tower
tubes, the calculated minimum form
prevents disturbances with the inner
pendulum structure. The curved helix
structure has a particularly striking effect
at night, when the back-lit seams of
the membrane and the shadows of the
ropes converge upwards to form a cone
shape, lending the tower an even loftier
appearance. KKW Architekten developed
the light planning for this impressive
illumination feature in partnership with
Winkels Behrens Pospich Ingenieure für
Haustechnik GmbH (wbp). wbp was also
responsible for the technical building
fittings including the light management
of the LEDs.
The Foucault pendulum suspended
from the secondary bearing structure
not only helps visitors to “experience”
the rotation of the Earth. The exhibition
space below designed by designers from
beier+wellach projekte is home to the
stunning Phänorama: a 360º-projection
of Lüdenscheid and the surrounding
area that is controlled by the oscillation
duration of the 30m-long pendulum
similar to an oversized kaleidoscope.