Waagner-Biro supplies the glass-steel construction for the "BLOB" in Eindhoven

In late 2008 Waagner-Biro Stahlbau AG http://www.waagner-biro.at )was selected to perform the envelope works of the freestanding volume designed by Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas. The five storey mixed use building will contain commercial spaces as well as offices on the upper floors, and its exterior is a so called free-form, because it cannot be defined by simple geometric forms such as circle or line – therefore the name

• Blob (rendering) [jpg, 26.8 Kb]

. The curved exterior skin is façade and roof at the same time, a design feature that now can often be found in contemporary architecture.
 
Such challenging geometries suit very well Waagner-Biro Stahlbau AG’s core competence of complex structures. Based on over 150 years of history, the company’s Steel and Glass Division specialises in demanding building envelopes. The 3D-capabilities came well into play when working out the final geometry together with the client team of Heijmans Bouw and the design team, as now gridlines are matching floor plates and the so called mesh, the triangulated structural shell comprised of welded steel profiles that is clad with glass and metal panels, got smoothened, which benefits fabrication and installation processes.

Installation of the envelope is set to start in June of this year and the company looks eagerly forward to complete their first construction project in the Netherlands, especially one with such truly public exposure.