L’étoile d’Avenches
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/11e74b1ee090c4df354b8514ab4cdbb512f245507907164b24aed7fd0a83db22/AVE_-1024x682-copy-min.jpg)
One of several ancient Roman landmarks in Switzerland, this two thousand year old open-air amphitheater in the small town of Avenches is subject to an unprecedented innovation. The site is home to countless festivals, many of which depend on the cooperation of mother-nature to provide ideal weather conditions to ensure financial success.
Together with a team of naval and civil engineers, we propose a dynamic lightweight structure that bridges 80 meters in diameter and acts as a viable protection from elements when conditions should require. Combining the archaic structure of the bicycle wheel and cutting edge technology in pneumatic structures, a hybrid configuration is formed that is both retractable and mobile; and in parallel reducing considerably the impact on the amphitheater.
Together with a team of naval and civil engineers, we propose a dynamic lightweight structure that bridges 80 meters in diameter and acts as a viable protection from elements when conditions should require. Combining the archaic structure of the bicycle wheel and cutting edge technology in pneumatic structures, a hybrid configuration is formed that is both retractable and mobile; and in parallel reducing considerably the impact on the amphitheater.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2898ed3f9881ff90ce837d7f86855bd1396d949110cbbe312117183983490971/AVE_6-1024x682.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ea1c4c7dedbfa7f83fa13ca9f44a8de346023e894d5c620e3fb8ad78093b810a/AVE_5-1024x682.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/611db6504a2812ad1766d831298a9682cfeb54af146e6bde9078baf38a1d7a37/AVE_3-1024x682.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9e822f53645fca23ec8a3caa685d174b52eca4be853f05ee75df4b2b37d1597f/AVE_4-1024x682.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/db0a5be5ad53e6aacd4abd2c4e186a824eddc189f5b4df7ccec1ec14d5d18739/AVE_7-1024x682.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1a4f251dc0c05e2538191e764bcb9faec234aa8ec68e2990c706b55449e04ec7/AVENCHES_maquette_1-1024x717.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bea12a3a737982358c270c5c67a9f0a0bc87e714a0bf233f95ef88a076549ec9/AVENCHES_plan-section_3-723x1024.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/83cc97ee51e139bc18a934b4863b2505ac71b101aa907f21469d1e215d3527f9/AVENCHES_plan-section_2-723x1024-1.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1337a9a782490c2e48ec0b751262fc00d11ab9f5c6c56c5ac1ad8296c4c9fc2c/AVENCHES_plan-section_1-723x1024-1.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/13774549a28e39c1a65f45820c785465223d0be3855a5f200e9fe6a4250276f7/AVENCHES_slices-1024x291.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/647f3917aaae2d7a4108169f0456abdd73dd90aa7a0a54d36ef45fdc7568a3de/AVENCHES_axo-1024x613.png)
Year: 2013
Location: Avenches, Switzerland
Status: Idea
Program: Public
Client: Comune d’Avenches
Size: 5’000 m2
Project: 1202_AVE
Engineers: Heinrich Schnetzer, Schnetzer Puskas Ingenieure
Inflating Engineer: Edouard Kessi, Next Technologies