References

Timber construction in the shape of a magician’s hat at Knies Kinderzoo

Rapperswil, CH

Underside of the curved, Free Form timber roof inside the magician’s hat

A timber magician’s hat for events at Knies Kinderzoo

The events structure in the shape of a magician’s hat with a 26 m high tower was constructed at Knies Kinderzoo to replace the former Otarium. Blumer Lehmann was in charge of the substantial timber structure for this extraordinary Free Form construction, including preliminary planning, mock-ups, designing the timber construction for the supporting framework and interior cladding, detailing and 3D modelling plus planning, coordinating and executing the exterior cladding, supporting framework and interior cladding.

The roof of the event space is reminiscent of circuses and magic: a magician’s hat or a magic cloth. Creating the curved roof shape was possible thanks to Free Form timber elements designed as a prismatic shell structure. Prefabrication of the timber structure also kept construction and assembly times to a minimum. Irregularly shaped, matt scales made from sheet metal cover the entire roof like a membrane.

Music and sound emissions presented a particular challenge in planning and executing the events venue. The resulting sound insulating facade ensures that people in the surrounding area are not adversely affected. Inside the events structure, the interior cladding uses 418 acoustic elements to ensure excellent sound quality.

A pull-out platform and interchangeable podiums are installed inside to allow the space to be adapted for a variety of events. The events venue features an arena, sanitary facilities, green rooms, kitchen, storage room and two entrances, and is designed to hold an audience of 500 people.

Portrait Richard Jussel Project development Blumer Lehmann

Richard Jussel

Project Development | Sales – Industrial Buildings | Timber and Modular Construction | Switzerland

+41 71 388 58 61
richard.jussel@blumer-lehmann.com
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Knee's magic hat – Project video

Project details

Client:
Gebrüder Knie, Schweizer National-Circus AG
Architecture:
Carlos Martinez Architekten AG
Project type:
Event construction, Leisure and sport
Construction type:
Free Form
Services:
Timber construction
Construction:
2020
Locality:
Rapperswil
Country:
Switzerland

Links

The curved timber roof creates a circus-like atmosphere inside the magician’s hat.

Although the timber roof is the dominant feature inside the magician’s hat, its curved shape and use of timber give it a light and airy feel.

The cantilever timber roof, designed as a prismatic shell structure, is surrounded by irregularly shaped sheet metal sheds.

The cantilever timber roof, designed as a prismatic shell structure, is surrounded by irregularly shaped sheet metal sheds.

Wooden ceiling with lights of magician’s hat at Knies Kinderzoo

Free Form timber elements shape the prismatic shell structure of the curved roof.

Tower and windows of magician's hat at Knies Kinderzoo

Tower and windows of magician's hat at Knies Kinderzoo

The entrance to the magician’s hat made from timber elements during building works.

It was only possible to implement the extraordinary magician’s hat design by constructing it out of timber.

The striking magician’s hat timber structure stands at the heart of the children’s zoo and can be seen from far and wide in the surrounding Rapperswil area.

With a height of 26 m, an extraordinary building design and a roof covered in metal scales, this magician’s hat is a truly eye-catching structure.

The shell of the magician’s hat building during construction of the timber roof.

An advantageous design using local wood: the prefabricated elements are assembled in no time on the construction site.