waagner

biroinsights
Steel Glass
Structures

 04
Monumental
Architecture
08
More than the
sum of its parts
12
When Geometry
breaks down
boundaries
16
Floating
virtuosity:
from the
Lightness of
being
20
evolution
not Revolution
22
Portrait

Myzeil
Frankfurt

IMPRINT:
Published by Waagner-Biro Stahlbau AG,
Leonard-Bernstein-Strasse 10, 1220 Vienna, Austria
Concept and Design: Wien Nord Werbeagentur
Text: asoluto public + interactive relations
Photos: Archive Waagner-Biro AG, Artur Images (Cover),
Ulrich Grill (S. 7), Olivier Ouadah (S.811), Edgar Leyendecker (S.12),
getty images (S.16/17), Bob Hoekstra (S.23)
Vienna, 2012

Steel Glass Structures

From

Vision
To Innovation.

Architecture is fascinating, an expression of

our innate human creativity. At its best, a building is more than just a structure; it is the fruition
of an idea which outlives generations and evokes
emotions. When we encounter such a building,
we stand in front of it and marvel at its effect
on us. Astounded at seeing something original,
something which, in this form we have never
seen before, something that we did not even
know was technically possible. We begin to discuss it because others can not understand why it
so excites us. In one way or another, architecture
moves us. We at Waagner-Biro have worked on
many outstanding architectural projects in the

nearly 160 years of our existence. The company

specializes in sophisticated steel and glass architecture and works with partners who are among
the worlds best in their field. Whether these
partners are architects or planners, their visions
lay the foundations from which architectural
masterpieces rise. These visions need to be
realized, which is where we come in. We turn
intangible visions into tangible solutions by
providing technical innovation. Delve into the
fascinating world of Waagner-Biro steel and glass
construction on the following pages. We are
confident that you will have already come across
one or more of our buildings in reality.

03

04

Steel Glass Structures

Monu
mental
Architecture.

Steel Glass Structures

05

Reichstag dome,
Berlin

When Lord Norman Foster, one of the

leading architects in the world, says this about
a project: It is an incredible honour, a great
privilege, an exceptional opportunity and a
major challenge, then it must be a special kind
of architectural project. And the renovation of
the Reichstag in Berlin at the end of the last millennium falls into this rare category. The heart of
German parliamentarianism is much more than
just a functional workplace for parliamentarians
and their staff. It is a symbol of Germany, and its
main attraction, the steel and glass dome on the
roof, has already drawn millions of tourists and
local residents.
The dome of the Reichstag is a perfect example
of how buildings become landmarks. They transform into statements representing entire countries, outstanding statesmen or even individual
companies. Such symbolic landmarks tend to
outlive their creators and their presence brings
joy to many generations.
According to Lord Foster, architecture consists
of measurable and immeasurable aspects. The
immeasurable are selected for a variety of reasons and assessed against aesthetic criteria. In the
case of the Reichstag it was the vision of making
a palpable connection between the parliamentarians and the people. Consequently, visitors can
look directly into the plenary chamber from
the dome through a shaft flooded with light.
To ensure that visions become more than intellectual exercises, they have to be implemented.
You need a construction partner who speaks the
language of architects and has the know-how to
realise such ideas technically. In this demanding
sector, where new challenges require original
solutions, Waagner-Biro has established an outstanding reputation worldwide.

06

Steel Glass Structures

Today, architectural landmarks engineered by

Waagner-Biro can be found all over the world.
Another in Berlin, for example, is Helmut Jahns
spectacular example of engineering creativity:
the roof of the Sony Center Forum on Potsdam
Square. The tent-like canopy, with its individual
swathes of material, floats above the visitors like
a huge umbrella. It is secured to a steel ring with
cables and symbolises Mt Fuji, Japans holy mountain. The roof of the Sony Center towers majestically over the skyline of the German capital, just
as the famous volcano dominates its skyline.
The European Steel Design Award winning freeform structure, which spans the internal courtyard
of the Queen Elisabeth II Great Court in the British Museum, is also among the many acclaimed
prestige projects completed by the long-standing
Austrian company. When the British Museum
opened in 1850 it was already a symbol of the
might of the British Empire. Eight architects have
tried their hand on this holiest of holies over the
last 150 years. However, the most spectacular
modification, by Lord Norman Foster, was undertaken in 2000: The covering of the internal courtyard, previously inaccessible to the general public.
More than 3,300 triangular glass panels form the
at that time largest covered internal courtyard
in Europe. It is admired by around 5.5million
museum visitors annually. One of the first visitors
to the new structure was Queen Elisabeth II, who
performed the official opening.
Waagner-Biro also impressed its local Austrian
market with a sensational project: The Red Bull
Hangar 7 at Salzburg Airport. Generally, an
aircraft hangar is not a particularly attractive sight.
It is quadratic and practical. But, just like so many
other things that Red Bull undertakes, this hanger
is incomparable. Above all, it is the architecture
of Hangar 7 that impresses. From the outside it

In what is currently the worlds tallest building,

the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Waagner-Biro was
responsible for the technically challenging
entrance pavilions.

Steel Glass Structures

suggests the form of a wing. But inside the structure, the historic aeroplanes parked in Hangar 7
appear to be resting under a celestial dome.
Architectural landmarks are not restricted to
the traditional industrial nations in Europe and
the USA. Many emerging nations are catching
up on architecturally prestigious projects as
an expression of their strength and industrial
potential. This is particularly evident in the Gulf
region. One architectural monument after the
other is competing to be even more spectacular
and more unique than the next. Waagner-Biros
engineering expertise is in high demand here as
well. For the most famous edifice to have caused

a stir around the globe in recent years: the Burj

Khalifa, currently the tallest building in the world
at 830 m, Waagner-Biro was responsible for the
entrance pavilions. The architect Adrian Smith,
from the American architectural firm Skidmore,
Owings and Merrill, opted not only for gigantic
dimensions, but was also inspired by elements of
regional culture: The Middle East and Dubai are
heavily influenced by onion domes, lancet arches
and idiosyncratic patterns resembling tripartite
flowers. Spiral images are evidence of other influences. Furthermore, Middle Eastern philosophy
is embedded in iconographic motifs. The origin
of these motifs lies in organic structures and
botanic substances.

07

Such associations, inspirations and visions

transform a simple building into an architectural
masterpiece, filling local inhabitants with pride
and attracting masses of foreign tourists with
all the positive consequences for tourism and the
economy. The technical options for implementing such projects have improved continuously
over time and will continue to do so. But the
driving force behind such masterpieces has remained constant throughout the ages: the desire
to create monumental architecture.

Red Bull Hangar 7

Salzburg

08

Steel Glass Structures

More
than the

Sum
of its parts.

Steel Glass Structures

09

Cour Visconti.
Louvre, Paris

As a tourist in Paris you can hardly miss it:

the Louvre. It is a fixed item on the agenda of
every visitor to the metropolis on the Seine.
However, a visit to the museum usually begins in
a lengthy queue, because probably the most famous museum in the world is normally bursting
at the seams. But now there is a plan: In 2020 the
Louvre is scheduled to be not only bigger but
also more accessible. As one of the many initiatives, the previously inaccessible Cour Visconti
internal courtyard was crowned with an impressive overhead free-form structure, under which
the new Islamic Art section will be housed. It
was soon clear that an architectural masterpiece
was being created. So the client was faced with
the question of who was capable of delivering

10

Steel Glass Structures

the finished article. Particularly as the road from

its conception to its opening in 2012 was a long
one (Note: still incomplete at the magazines
editorial deadline in March 2012). Many hurdles
had to be cleared to reach the finish line. Ultimately, a group of renowned companies united
to take up the challenge; from designers and
planners to the engineering and steel construction company Waagner-Biro. Individualists were
discouraged. Rather, a shared motto along the
lines of all for one and one for all was adopted
to create something special.
Teamwork is the decisive factor in a project of
this magnitude and complexity. The success
of the joint venture depends on the client,
architects, designers, consultants, engineers and
many more. When the individual players are
in harmony, the whole becomes greater than
the sum of its parts. This requires each party to
understand, engage in and implement the other
parties ideas. It requires a great deal of sensitivity
for each others disciplines. Cooperation must
be tightly integrated. A clear distinction between
the spheres of responsibility is simply not possible. For instance, Waagner-Biro does not just
fulfil technical specifications, but also contributes
its competence during the development of the
structure. It is only when all the participating
companies cooperate closely that an exceptional
architectural monument, like the Cour Visconti
canopy, can be created.
Ultimately, the main factor is the quality of
the partners and their reliability in providing
solutions. The customers high standards must
be reflected in the work of all the companies
involved. So only the best of the best will do.
Renowned for its expertise, Waagner-Biro is a
highly regarded partner by the who-is-who of
international architects and engineers. These
include big name architects like Asymptote,
Foster and Partner, Fuksas, Jean Nouvel, KPF,
Murphy Jahn, SOM and others. The renowned
engineers partnering Waagner-Biro include Arup,
Buro Happold, Schlaich Bergermann Partner,
Werner Sobek Ingenieure, Front, Leonhardt,
Andr und Partner.

For the Louvre project, it was the highly acclaimed Italian designer Mario Bellini who
succeeded in creating harmony between the
modern structure and the historic surroundings. The flying carpet, which the steel-glass
canopy represents, was an aesthetic challenge
because the architects wanted a soft solution
that did not conflict with the existing structures. But the challenge was also technical because the roof is constructed as a multi-layered
framework which, by means of deliberately
chosen materials, must reduce incidental light.
This was of particular importance in a museum
where exhibits must be protected against
excessive exposure to sunlight. The 1,800 or
so individual glass elements provided another
challenge, but not primarily due to their large
number. It was more of a logistical challenge.
Each single element has unique dimensions,
so each has a clearly defined location in the
overall structure. Consequently, each glass
panel had to be available on site exactly when
required. This demanded precise planning
on the part of all project partners and was a
great responsibility for the logistics company
charged with the task.
Implementing such an exceptional project
requires teamwork of the highest order. The
undertaking can be imagined as a huge machine.
If one of the many cogs, regardless of its size, is
jammed, the whole machine grinds to a standstill. And that is not an option.

Steel Glass Structures

The steel and glass construction covering the

Cour Visconti is reminiscent of a flying carpet.

11

12

Steel Glass Structures

Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi

No tower in the world
leans as much as this one.

Steel Glass Structures

13

Geo
metry
When

breaks down
boundaries.

Clients, planners, and engineers spend in

numerable hours on the meticulous planning
of a new building: its various functionalities,
its technical details and the selection of appropriate construction materials. These are all
decisions that are essential for the subsequent
success of the building. But lets be honest:
For the independent observer, it is the look
that counts. First impressions dictate whether
a building will be regarded as something special
or just another everyday structure. The key
player here is the architect. His vision leads
the way.

Today, there are practically no limits to that

vision. Where previously a visionary design was
shelved as infeasible, todays cutting edge technology enables to achieve the seemingly impossible. This gives architects immense individual
freedom at the design stage. Consequently,
modern architecture excels at geometrically
exceptional structures and designs that go far
beyond excepted norms. Standard terms like
roof and wall are becoming increasingly ambiguous. Take the Waagner-Biro built Blob in
Eindhoven for example. To see it is to recognize
it: The name says it all. The Blobs design eludes

all attempts at categorization. Where do the walls

end? Where does the roof start? The structure is
more reminiscent of an amorphous droplet floating weightlessly in space.
Architectural visions often carry a message.
A narrative culminating in impressive geometric
forms. The architect of the Zlote Tarasy project,
a futuristic steel and glass shopping centre roof
in the middle of Warsaw, was inspired by photographs of Warsaws destruction in 1945.
In particular, by the treetops on the slope running down to the Weichsel River, where the

14

Steel Glass Structures

trees were the only vertical element in the city.

The undulating roof structure, representing
seven balls covered by a single cloth, rests on
several tree-like branched steel pillars. Measuring
approximately 10,000 m, the geometrically
complex gridshell forms a huge open space.
Reconciling such a steel and glass structure with
the laws of physics requires cutting edge technologies. The use of triangular grids has proven
to be effective as this shape gives the greatest
flexibility for forming curves. Waagner-Biro
based the steel nodes design on the technology
used previously for covering the Great Court at
the British Museum. The crucial skill, however, is
the specialised planning expertise which employs
3D-technology. This is where the engineers
come into their own. Especially when such
exceptional geometries are involved, they keep
sight of structural analyses and, ultimately, safety.
It is only through this detailed work that the
architectural drafts, sometimes just scribblings on
a sheet of paper, are finalized for implementation.
Safety is always the prime concern. This should
come as welcome news to visitors to the Capital
Gate in Abu Dhabi. According to the Guinness
Book of Records, it is the Worlds furthest
leaning man-made tower. It mocks gravity with
an awe-inspiring inclination of 18 degrees over
its 160 meters. That is 14 degrees more than
the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Such an exceptional
construction project naturally has its own array
of challenges in terms of planning, production
and construction. Each of the towers glass panels
is shaped differently, just as no two corners or
angles in the building are the same. The faade,
planned and built by Waagner-Biro, consists of
670 rhomboidal steel and glass elements.
We know that exceptional geometries demand
nothing but the best from planners and
engineers. However, the result is well worth
the effort. When a geometric vision meets brilliant engineers, the result has its own specific
dynamic. The chances are high that the building
will be nothing less than a symbol of human
achievement.

Steel Glass Structures

Zlote Tarasy attracted

over 500,000 visitors in
the first week.

15

16

Steel Glass Structures

Floating virtuosity:
from the

Lightness
of being.

Steel Glass Structures

17

The Yas Marina Hotel in Abu Dhabi

A spectacular backdrop to Formula 1.

Steel is heavy. We all know that from experience. Steel is hard. That is no secret either. But
steel is also extremely pliable, a less obvious
quality. Its pliability is one of the essential factors
in enabling steel structures to be intricate masterpieces of modern architecture.
Formula 1 racing car drivers can attest to that.
They pass underneath the gridshell structure
of the Yas Marina Hotel on the new racetrack
in Abu Dhabi, which hosted its first Grand Prix
in November 2009. The hotels appearance
is distinctive thanks to its free-form structure
spanning a section of the track. The vision of
the New York architectural firm Asymptote was
inspired by concepts like speed, movement,
elegance and spectacle. Inspiration sourced
directly from the art and poetry of motor
sport. The result: The Waagner-Biro steel-glass
structure envelopes the multi-story hotel like a

18

Steel Glass Structures

reptilian skin. Despite its 2,800 tonnes of steel

and 5,100 glass elements, it rests on only a few
V-shaped supports. To achieve the buildings
filigree effect each of the 10,700 different rods
has to be as thin as possible. Not only its appearance, but also the speed at which WaagnerBiro completed this complex project is truly
impressive: just 18 months from presenting the
architectural draft to completion.
Looking at the Yas Marina Hotel, it is not surprising that free-form structures grew increasingly popular over the last decade. The possibilities
offered by contemporary steel-glass technology,
convince more and more clients who want their
building to stand out from the crowd.
So, while the Yas Marina Hotel is a highlight of
Waagner-Biros recent work, it was certainly not
the only project with this level of complexity.
The MyZeil building ensemble in Frankfurt am
Main shares a wow factor of similar magnitude.
Viewed from the side, the trumpet-shaped tunnel in the outer faade elicits thoughts of a black
hole in space, warping time. The buildings shell
is a prime example of how flexible a steel-glass
structure can be.
The lightness of free-form structures is particularly palpable in roof structures, appearing
to float thanks to their spherical design. While
offering protection from wind and weather, the
use of transparent glass also engenders a feeling
of freedom. Shopping in such an atmosphere is
pure delight. This opinion was shared by those
responsible for Berlins Sony Center. The impressive roof construction, made of steel, glass and
self-cleaning, Teflon covered material, has a light
transmission of 50%, which creates a friendly
shopping experience.
It has been a long road from the traditional roof
forms, like gable, flat or pitch roofs, to free-form
structures which are only limited by architects
imaginations. A key factor in this development
has been combining steel and glass. We cant wait
to see the impressive designs the future has in
store for us.

Steel Glass Structures

19

Sony Center
Berlin

20

Steel Glass Structures

Evo
lution
not

Revolution.

Queen Elizabeth II Great Court,

British Museum, London

Steel Glass Structures

21

It was something new, something unprece

dented in its field: The free-form canopy that
has spanned the Queen Elizabeth II Great
Court at the British Museum since 2000 is
regarded as the trailblazer for this particular type
of construction. Museum visitors are met by
the unfamiliar spectacle of a 6,000 m steel and
glass domed roof, consisting of innumerable
triangular elements. This marvel of modern
architecture was only possible thanks to a
gradual technological evolution.

In developing steel and glass gridshell structures, the connecting nodes present a particular
challenge. The node design has to be developed
and individually engineered according to
whether the glass elements have triangular or
quadratic surfaces. The development processes
and the software used to program robots to cut
these nodes from steel, are continually being
adapted and refined. To boost efficiency, a high
degree of automation is always involved in planning and production.

form or even a combination of both forms is

sometimes required for economic or architectural reasons. It is in this very field that WaagnerBiro is co-operating with the Vienna University
of Technology. Together they have been exploring how such geometries can be combined to
form other gridshell shapes. The faade and roofing of the Festival City in Dubai, for example,
employed not only triangular, but also quadratic
glass elements. The same solution was used to
roof the Cour Visconti of the Louvre in Paris.

A brief review: Architecture is enduring. Some

buildings appear to have been built for eternity
and lose none of their fascination architectural
jewels like the Egyptian pyramids, the Coliseum,
Gothic cathedrals or the Palace of Versailles.
These masterpieces still make an impact on us
today. They are enduring symbols of human
creativity. The wheels of time used to turn more
slowly. While Egyptian temple architecture
evolved little in 1,000 years, modern architecture
is subject to a much greater demand for development. This drives todays expectations for original designs and proves that technical innovations
are in greater demand than ever before. Only
they enable the realization of the clients and
architects visions.

The challenge in such demanding projects is

that often no subcomponent resembles another.
So mass production is then no longer an option
for either the nodes or the glass panels.

The DR Byen in Copenhagen, a media centre

planned by Jean Nouvel, was another exciting
venture. The building is enveloped on all sides by
a rhomboidal gridshell. Attaching the steel cable
to the nodal structure was just one of the challenges. Even more ingenious was the specially
developed tensioning system to ensure that, at
the end, all the different lengths of steel cable
were subject to the same tensile force.

Flexible solutions are also required when realising ambitious geometries. The glass panels
proven triangular form guarantees precisely this
degree of flexibility. Nevertheless, a quadratic

So it is more about evolution than revolution.

Technological leaps forward, like those in
communication technology, are of little or no
importance. There is a far greater emphasis on
the continual development of existing solutions.
As a long-standing steel construction specialist
with many years of experience, Waagner-Biro
has accrued immense proprietary expertise and
know-how, enabling it to develop all manner
of tailor-made solutions. This development is
project driven. It is the result of each contracts
specific challenges.
Construction projects often involve massive figures. Several hundred or even thousands of tons
of steel or concrete are set in place. While such
figures are truly impressive, they only tell half the
story. It is only when our attention is directed to
the details, that the true skill is exposed.

Anchoring nodes for the steel cable faade of

the DR Byen in Copenhagen.

22

Steel Glass Structures

Portrait
You will find ambitious Waagner-Biro architectural steel constructions in many regions of
the world. The core markets are in Europe and
the Arab world. In over 150 years the company
has developed an outstanding reputation, culminating in joint ventures with highly renowned
architects and planners. The success of these
cooperations is based on the outstanding quality
of services and the development of individual
engineering solutions for each project.

Service portfolio

References

Waagner-Biros real strength lies in high performance in areas where others are already reaching
their limits.

Numerous references attest to Waagner-Biros

competence in steel construction. Here is a brief
overview:

Steel and glass building shells

Free-form structures and complex geometries
Cable supported structures
e.g. pre-tensioned walls
Special solutions for challenging
aluminium faades
Integrated solutions involving additional
materials like textile membranes
Innovative use of materials
like load-bearing glass
Solutions for complicated
ramps, stairs and masts

Reichstag dome, Berlin/Germany.

Architect: Norman Foster
Sony Center, Berlin/Germany:
Architect: Murphy Jahn
Great Court British Museum, London/UK.
Architect: Norman Foster
Red Bull Hangar 7, Salzburg/Austria.
Architect: Burgstaller
Swiss Re Tower (Dome), London/UK.
Architect: Norman Foster
Burj Khalifa (Entrance pavilion), Dubai/UAE.
Architect: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi/UAE.
Architect: RMJM, Dubai
Co-operative Group (Corporate
headquarters), Manchester/UK.
Architect: 3D Reid
Zlote Tarasy Warsaw/Poland.
Architect: The Jerde Partnership
Yas Island Marina Hotel Abu Dhabi/UAE.
Architect: Asymptote
The Blob, Eindhoven/Netherlands.
Architect: Massimiliano Fuksas
Louvre Cour Visconti, Paris/France.
Architects: Mario Bellini, Rudy Ricciotti
Baku Airport Terminal, Azerbaijan.
Architect: Arup
Bayt Abdullah, Kuwait.
Architect: Marks Barfield Architects

The company also offers relevant service and

maintenance options (e.g. faade maintenance,
renovation, modification).
One secret to the success of Waagner-Biro
Stahlbau is its partnerships with architects and
planning firms, including:
Architects: Foster and Partners, Jean Nouvel,
SOM, Murphy Jahn, Asymptote, Mario Bellini,
Massimiliano Fuksas, KPF, Wilkinson Eyre,
Henning Larsen, HOK, Jerde Partnership,
Heneghan Peng, 3D Reid, RMJM, Hollein etc.
Planning firms: Arup, Buro Happold,
Schlaich Bergermann Partner, Werner Sobek
Ingenieure, Front, Leonhardt, Andr und
Partner etc.

Steel Glass Structures

Austria

United Kingdom

Poland

Waagner-Biro Stahlbau AG
Saturn Tower, Leonard-Bernstein-Strae 10
1220 Vienna, Austria
T: +43/1/288 44 0
F: +43/1/288 44 333
E: [email protected]
www.waagner-biro.com

Waagner Biro Ltd.

Valiant House, 2nd Floor, 410 Heneage Lane
London EC3A 5DQ, United Kingdom
T: +44/20/7337 2240
F: +44/20/7929 1880
E: [email protected]
www.waagner-biro.com

Waagner Biro Splka z.o.o.

Al. Armii Ludowej 26
00-609 Warsaw, Poland
T: +43/1/288 44 0
E: [email protected]
www.waagner-biro.com

Aserbaidschan

Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Waagner-Biro Stahlbau AG
Azerbaijan Branch Office
AZ1025, Baku city, Khatayi district
25 Sabit Orujov street, Apartment 52
T: +43/1/288 44 0
F: +34/1/288 44 333
E: [email protected]

Waagner Biro Stahlbau AG

Dubai Branch Office
Dubai Investment Park II
Warehouse complex
P.O.Box 8542
T: +971/4/8855275
F: +971/4/8855381

Waagner Biro Emirates Contracting L.L.C.

Link Investment Building
Plot 128 Muroor (Office 102)
P.O.Box 127687, Abu Dhabi U.A.E.
T: +971/2/4918818
F: +971/2/4918819

23

The Blob
Eindhoven

visit
waagner-biro.
com

waagner
biroinsights
Steel Glass
Structures