Roof inflatable structure NATIONAL SPACE & SCIENCE CENTRE

with ETFE membranefor public spaces

Leicester, United Kingdom Facts REALIZATION MEMBRANE STRUCTURES Skyspan GmbH YEAR 2001 CLIENT National Space Centre, Leicester, UK CITY Leicester, UK FACADE AREA 2000 m² ARCHITECT N. Grimshaw & Partners, London, UK ENGINEERING Ove Arup & Partners, UK LOCATION Europe Details Rocket Science The rockets stand proud behind a transparent pneumatic membrane facade. Thirty-eight ETFE cushions offer a clear view of Sputnik & Co. built according to the design by Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners. The Rocket Tower with its transparent sheath was an architectural and astronomical challenge.The open-air ambiance called for a special design that stretched the outer limits of ETFE technology. Some of the largest cushions are more than three metres high and 20 metres long and curve along a radius of some ten metres. The north face cushions can be disassembled to provide a large opening to accommodate large new exhibition items. used materials MATERIAL ETFE foil