Helion, a revolution.
The Classic example for a lighter than air architecture in the form of a lotus flower shaped hall
We do not know who was the master mind behind the hanging gardens of Babylon, but we know whose brain child Helion represents being the first floating building attached to the ground.
A translucent helium ring with an outer radius of 30 meters constitutes together with cone shaped and helium filled segments a floating roof which is fixed to the ground by diagonally running ropes.
“Nothing is more powerful than an idea the time of which has come” -these words from Victor Hugo encouraged the TAO team in 1993 to erect this lotus flower shaped building at the international garden show in Stuttgart IGA 1993. The building was used simultaneously as show room, function hall and as airship hangar for the solar airship “Lotte”. The roof segments were linked to each other by 17 meter long zip fasteners. After these zip fasteners had been opened the helium filled segments straighten up by themselves based on the boost they got from the helium filling. The roof respectively opened and the airship could vertically fly off and away through the opened flower shaped roof. Technically speaking the Helion construction was a challenge in many ways starting with questions of fire protection and ending with questions of constructive design of the extremely light construction. The permanent compression control was achieved by a ballonet placed outside on the ground.
Today the Helion construction is considered an outstanding example for lighter than air architecture.
