"Gulliver" Wooden Airship above DOX Center in Prague, Czech Republic

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Zeppelin Structure Made of Timber and Steel

Structure

The supporting framework of the airship consists of 14 truss hoops arranged in a transversal direction at a spacing of 7.2 - 9.8 ft. The hoops are connected to each other by lateral and auxiliary elements, which converge in a top steel ring. The structural elements are made of larch wood, hot‑dip galvanized elements, and stainless and hot‑dip galvanized fasteners.

The framework includes steel cables that ensure the overall spatial stability. The timber frame is coated by larch wood lamellas and is protected against weather conditions by a membrane structure in the upper half of the structure. Thus, the membrane structure consisting of ETFE foil creates something like an umbrella above the entire airship structure.

The timber framework of the airship is anchored to an inclined steel supporting structure at the respective height, which serves as the supporting foundation for the interior timber floor of the airship. The structure is supported by two steel truss columns located along the walls of the buildings in the DOX Center's yard. The columns are built on newly built pile foundations. A spar and cables in the horizontal direction stabilize the cantilevered part of the steel supporting structure that exceeds the building walls. The airship can be accessed by two side staircases made of steel.

The basic airship body is complemented by a gondola that can be accessed from the airship board by a steel ladder. The airship includes audiovisual and lighting equipment. Due to the installed infrared heating panels, the airship can be visited all year long.

The total construction area is 3,466 ft², the accessible interior area is 1,733 ft², and the space enclosed by the construction is 72,395 ft³.