Architectural Bridge Building for the Expo 2008
The British star architect Zaha Hadid has chosen glass fibre reinforced concrete from the Austrian company Rieder to envelope the 275 meters long „Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion“, the symbol of the Expo 2008 in the northern Spanish Zaragoza: she has covered the outer skin of the building with 29.000 triangles in different grey shades out of fibreC. The bridge across the river Ebro is entrance to the Expo area and at the same time multi-level exhibition area; 10.000 visitors per hour frequented the Main Pavilion of the world exhibition.
Shimmering Skin
For the envelope of the pavilion, Zaha Hadid chose triangular panels made of glass fibre reinforced concrete – fibreC. A sophisticated pattern out of 29.000 elements in different grey shades causes an effect like shiny fish scales and will shimmer in the sunshine on completion. Due to its dimensional effect, the fibreC triangles imbue the outer skin of the pavilion with life, reflecting the glittering and varied facets if the water.
fibreC - a sustainable material
Apart from its design and visual impact, Zaha Hadid’s idea could stand up to 40 competitors at the jury – not least due to the sustainability of the used materials like fibreC. “The composition of fibreC out of degradable, purely mineral raw materials entirely complies with the current trend of natural, environmentally-friendly and sustainable materials“, says CEO Wolfgang Rieder. Apposite to the Expo-Theme “Sustainability”, Rieder has been certified in May according to DIN EN ISO 14.001. This international approved environmental management certificate confirms the commitment to sustainability at Rieder. With this „organic approach“, Zaha Hadid’s design of the bridge as well as the use of the material fibreC fit with the EXPO theme „Water and Sustainable Development“.
The innovative material fibreC enables big creative freedom in terms of mouldability, colour and processing. “Today, fibreC meets architectural challenges, which apparently made impossible to employ concrete still a few years ago“, Rieder says. “The example of the Zaragoza Bridge shows that 29.000 different triangular forms with accurately defined radiants can be manufactured industrially. With this technical precision and the logistic complexity Rieder breaks new ground in the world of concrete production.“
More information: www.rieder.cc
