The new hangar for the Theo airship in Mülheim an der Ruhr combines advanced engineering, sculptural design, and environmental commitment. Beyond housing aircraft, it functions as an event space for up to 1,500 people. Guided by sustainability principles from the outset, the project achieved DGNB Gold certification, the highest standard in German sustainable construction.
Inspired by the forms of the region's historic hangars, the structure adopts a contemporary language. The recyclable aluminum facade, with marked vertical lines, creates subtle light and shadow effects. The closed volume opens to the airfield through a glass strip. Inside, wood brings warmth, while four monumental doors—72 tons each—move like a theatrical curtain to reveal the airship.
Measuring 90 x 42 meters and 26 meters in height, the hangar uses 557 tons of locally sourced wood. The structure comprises 15 bi-articulated frames with 42-meter spans, connected by laminated wood panels joined with hardwood pegs. The roof also serves as thermal and acoustic insulation.
The constructive logic prioritizes reuse: the old foundations were repurposed for the new floor, made with recycled concrete. The adopted solutions avoided the emission of 156 tons of CO₂. The hangar affirms an architecture where technical innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.