Multihalle, Multi-purpose hall in Herzogenriedpark, Mannheim, Germany.
Multihalle is a multi-purpose hall in Herzogenriedpark featuring an experimental wooden lattice shell roof design. The structure spans a large footprint with a distinctive curved form supported entirely by timber framework rather than interior columns.
Built in 1975 for the German National Garden Show, the structure emerged from a bold partnership between architect Carlfried Mutschler and engineer Frei Otto. Their collaboration resulted in a groundbreaking approach to timber construction that pushed the boundaries of what was possible at the time.
The building earned the Hugo Häring Prize in 1978 and received official protection status as a German cultural heritage monument in 1998.
Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the wooden roof structure and its engineering from multiple angles. The location within the park makes it accessible for walking around and examining the building's form from different perspectives.
During construction, engineers devised an unconventional stability test by suspending water-filled containers on the roof framework. This practical proof-of-concept demonstrated the safety of the novel wooden lattice design before the building officially opened.
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