On 12 June 2012, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG opened its new pavilion at Autostadt in Wolfsburg. The Sports Car manufacturer’s exhibition hall features a shimmering curved roof structure, manufactured from matt stainless steel and inspired by the silhouette of a Porsche.
Matthias Müller, President and CEO of Porsche AG: “The building’s extraordinary design makes it one of a kind. It is also meaningful in symbolic and historical terms because it evokes the common roots that have bound Porsche and Volkswagen closely from the start and also bind our futures.”
Since opening in 2000, Autostadt has modified and redesigned over 80 percent of its exhibitions and programmes. The Porsche pavilion marks a further milestone in Autostadt’s development, as it is the first new build on a site now covering 28 hectares. Otto F. Wachs, Managing Director of Autostadt: “As the leading global automotive destination and communication platform for the Volkswagen Group, we support the Group’s development and provide our guests with an insight into its brands, values and philosophy. The construction of the Porsche pavilion represents a new chapter in Autostadt’s history.”
The structure’s innovative design makes it a particularly striking feature in its park and lakeland setting. It took around 10 months to build and is the product of close cooperation between Porsche, Autostadt and architectural practices Henn (architecture), HG Merz (staging) and WES & Partner (landscaping).
In keeping with the long tradition of lightweight construction at Porsche, the monocoque construction adheres to the principle of a surface-active structure: the stainless steel roof structure is a self-supporting shell shaping the space within and the statics of the pavilion are relegated to the background.
The interior curves focus visitors’ attention on the exhibition: 28 1:3 scale vehicle models occupy centre stage in the pavilion and take visitors on a journey through the development of the Sports Car brand, starting with the first Porsche 356 from 1948. Visitors can even try sitting in one of the current Porsche vehicles located at the end of this “fan space”. Thematic films, audio histories and media installations provide additional insights into the history and philosophy of the emotive Sports Car brand.
Find out more about Autostadt in Wolfsburg here:
www.autostadt.de/en
