Phänomenta
Lüdenscheid, 2001 - 2013
Cultural buildings
In 2001, schneider+schumacher was commissioned by Phänomenta in Lüdenscheid to design a tower to house the Foucault pendulum in its original length and amplitude. Following detailed design, as well as assembly and structural considerations, a structure was chosen that consisted exclusively of geometrically stable triangles, rotated by 60° relative to each other as they rise. The effect, seen from various viewpoints – ranges from a seemingly simple triangular tower to a dancing tower with folding overlaps, and this becomes a central design theme, emblematically linked to the phenomena conveyed in the concomitant building. In order to protect the pendulum from weathering due to wind, rain or temperature changes, a membrane was introduced. This does not interfere with the cone of the pendulum’s swing, and it organically complements the tubular latticework of the scaffolding. The project, as built, is a copyrighted schneider+schumacher design.
Planning Phase 2 and parts of Phase 3 were carried out by schneider+schumacher, with Bollinger & Grohmann as structural engineers. In 2012, following a public procurement procedure for freelance services carried out by DU Diederichs Projektmanagement, the project was finally awarded to KKW Architekten and implemented by them in 2015. Photographs of the finished building are by Guido Raith.
Offices involved:
Technical details:
Service phases (HOAI): 2-3Client: Stiftung Phänomenta, Stadt Lüdenscheid
Project architect: Till Schneider, Joachim Wendt
Tragwerksplanung: B+G Ingenieure Bollinger und Grohmann GmbH
Gross floor area: 4.175 m²
Brutto Rauminhalt: 16.000 m³
