Architecture

The enormous dome was originally built as an airship hangar for the German company CargoLifter AG. The steel barrel-bowl construction was made to measure for the production and operation of heavy lift airship, and is optimized for volume and aerodynamic form. Built by a subsidiary of Siemens, SIAT, the building's giant dimensions posed an architectural challenge. The roof has an area of 70,000 m² and is able to withstand the significant mass of rain and snow that falls on it. The heating system is able to maintain constant temperatures in the over 5 million m3 of air. The building was constructed using almost 14,000 tonnes of steel.

Two massive shell-like doors, each consisting of six moveable segments, are designed to allow the airship in and out of the hangar. The doors each weigh 600 tons and take 20 minutes to open or close. They are no longer in use.

Despite its size, the giant edifice is actually quite lightweight. The steel construction supports an arched membrane roof. The southern section of this has been replaced with a special foil roof that allows ultraviolet light to penetrate the interior, making it possible to get a natural tan while staying at Tropical Islands.