Customer Magazine // November 2011

airberlin world Mobile Stadium Concept Established in Professional Football

IAA Frankfurt The Dream of Automotive Passion

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Innovation as a Means to Highlight Tradition EDITORIAL CONTENTS

INTERVIEWS airberlin world 03–04 Confidence and Trust Electrolux „The Cube“ 04–05

Based on Reliability REPORTS Even without an , a FIFA or a World Expo Pope Visits to keep us on our toes, in 2011 the prevailing political and economic and Freiburg 06 changes around the globe brought with them great challenges for Festival thunerSeespiele 07 NUSSLI. So, at the end of our recent period of international expansion, Córdoba 07 we took the opportunity to look inward. Where do we stand? In which o2 World 08 areas did we do well? What are issues we still need to address in order Giardina 08 Isabelle C. Nüssli to improve? World Championships 09 In this period of reflection, we internalized our knowledge gained and IAA Frankfurt 09 learned from our mistakes. Now we strive to support the personal de- Musical Ewigi Liebi 10 velopment of our employees and optimize our processes, as these are Pro Tour 10 the two factors that shape our products and services. Baseball San Francisco 11 We are proud of our international workforce, representing over 20 VW Corporate Evening 11 countries, who are more than just employees – they are problem solv- ers, contributors, and motivators, and never shy away from taking on responsibility. They are our most valuable asset – and they deserve our COVER STORY gratitude and recognition for their tireless efforts. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 12–13 Daniel Cordey Our industry environment has not become any more stable or predict- able in the past year, which is why it has become more important than ever to build on the stable foundations that are our NUSSLI values. IMPRESSIONS 2011 14–15 One of our most important assets is the reliability that has given us the confidence and strength to face the challenges of the future. It is this reliability that offers the confidence to those who place their trust in REPORTAGES NUSSLI: our clients, employees, and suppliers. 150 Years of Italian Identity 16 Let us continue to work together in the coming year to achieve excep- BMW Guggenheim Lab 17–18 tional results in small and large projects. For our part, we are ready to St. Gallen Festival 18 grow with new tasks and experiences that lie ahead. Estadio de Bata 19

Urs Schönholzer

OUTLOOK 20

Isabelle C. Nüssli Daniel Cordey Urs Schönholzer Member and Secretary General CEO Market CEO Operations and Member of the Board of Directors of the Board of Directors

LOCATIONS IMPRINT

NUSSLI is represented by local branches, sales and project offices in: Publisher NUSSLI Group, Hüttwilen Switzerland: Hüttwilen (headquarters), Lyss // : Roth (Nuremberg), Ludwigsfelde (), Gießen // Title photography : Wels // : Torino // : La Roca del Vallès (), Valencia, Fuente el Saz de Stefan Helfenstein Jarama (Madrid) // Great Britain: // USA: Mooresville (IN), Miami (FL) // : Vancouver // Editorial staff United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi // Qatar: Doha Karin Ruhland [email protected] Layout/Image processing easyscan, St. Gallen nussli.com If not stated otherwise, photos: NUSSLI 03 INTERVIEWS

Mobile Stadium Concept Established in Professional Football

With the modular airberlin world stadium, NUSSLI created a complete interim solution for the German professional football scene for the very first time – and in full compliance with the extremely strict requirements set out by the German Football Association (DFB) and the German Football League (DFL). Project Manager Henry Krimmel explains why construction took only two months to complete. up‘date: Constructing a sta- were installed, including 60 km project just before Christmas both satisfied despite their ex- dium for 20,000 fans in under of steel pipes which formed the 2010 – and the first match tremely strict requirements. two months – are you a magi- substructure. was scheduled for the end of The construction costs for the cian? March. That meant we had entire stadium – including VIP up‘date: Why did everything no time to lose. The extremely areas, flood lighting, grand- Henry Krimmel: Magic has have to be done so quickly? short construction times are stands, access routes, and dis- nothing to do with it. It does, a key selling point in favor of mantling – officially came to a however, take meticulous plan- Henry Krimmel: The foot- modular stadiums. total of 2.8 million euros. The ning and precise logistics. 150 ball club Fortuna Düsseldorf stadium was fully equipped articulated trucks delivered needed a substitute location up‘date: What are the draw- and fulfilled the requirements the material to the exact loca- for their remaining three home backs of temporary structures of the TV broadcasters as tions where it was needed, and games of the season because in comparison with permanent well. The 12,500 seats and around 40 installers put it all their home stadium, the ESPRIT arenas? the standing room for an ad- together according to plan. We Arena, had been taken over ditional 7,500 spectators also felt like we were doing a gigan- with the preparations for the Henry Krimmel: There really included a VIP area. Almost all tic puzzle against time. No less Eurovision Song Contest. The aren‘t any – that was proven by places were roofed, and flood than 180,000 individual parts city of Düsseldorf assigned the the fact that DFB and DFL were lighting and video screens were INTERVIEWS 04 integrated into the structure – up‘date: What kind of feed- for the stadium from official in later projects. Once the air- absolutely nothing was miss- back was received from the sources. We actually received berlin world stadium had been ing. Of course the stadium had fans and the club? the International Sports Event dismantled, some parts, for ex- to fulfill the same standards as Management Award in bronze ample, went on to be reused as those from other providers. Henry Krimmel: The airberlin in the category ‚Event Overlay/ part of the grandstand system world interim stadium was de- Facilities‘ for the project. for the thunerSeespiele festival up‘date: Why was the airberlin signed in such a way that the in Switzerland. Other elements world interim stadium created fans were seated very close up‘date: What happens to ended up in the stands for the right next to the ESPRIT Arena? to the pitch. They were able the masses of material, once German Touring Car Champi- to experience the matches in a structure of this size is dis- onship (DTM) at the Norisring Henry Krimmel: That had a very close-up. The fans were all for mantled? in Nuremberg. simple explanation: the football that, of course. And the team club was able to fall back on obviously felt right at home in Henry Krimmel: One of the the existing infrastructure of the their interim stadium – after great advantages of the modu- ESPRIT Arena – for example, the all: Fortuna Düsseldorf won all lar system used here is its flexi- parking lots and other security three home games held there. bility. It means in effect that the concepts – at no additional cost. There was also much praise materials used can be reutilized

Delights for the Eye and the Palate

The idea is spectacular: a mobile gourmet temple, constructed in exceptional locations, where visual and culinary delights come together to form an unforgettable experience. The concept embodied in the restaurant pavilion ‚The Cube‘ was successfully implemented by Electrolux. The Milanese architectural office Park Associati developed this exclusive pavilion from the idea by Absolute Blue, which NUSSLI then produced as two identical units. Frieder Braun was the Project Manager in this venture and looks back on the project with pride. up‘date: Isn‘t it a bit crazy to Frieder Braun: Of course want to construct a restaurant everything had to be tested pavilion at a height of 35 me- right down to the last detail. ters on top of Brussel‘s land- The managing company of the mark, the Triumphal Arch in structure, a local engineering Jubel Park? office, and our own statics de- partment determined the basic Frieder Braun: Sure it‘s a bit data. We then knew that we crazy. But at the same time it needed a separate substruc- also was a unique challenge, for ture for the pavilion in order to which everyone involved tested place it on top of the historical their own limits to successfully structure and create a connec- realize the vision of Absolute tion with it. Since wind forces Blue. For Electrolux it was im- play an important role at such portant to create exclusive heights, even a 30 ton pavil- cooking and taste experiences ion had to be secured against in a completely unique envi- suddenly taking off. In total, ronment and with the help of around 60 tons of weight rest- renowned chefs. That was our ed on the Triumphal Arch. brief, and we more than ful- filled it: It is really very unusual up‘date: How would you de- to construct a mobile restaurant scribe the pavilion? on top of such a spectacular structure, and with a view that Frieder Braun: The color is completely breathtaking. white is predominant. The outer shell of the structure up‘date: Isn‘t that pavilion consists of white coated, per- much too heavy for such a forated aluminium panels. sensitive object like a historical The interior surfaces are also structure? mostly white – the kitchen 05 INTERVIEWS

and wall paneling are made material put together. NUSSLI pleted between October 2010 because of huge demand from white corian, while the also provides all the logis- and February 2011. We had Absolute Blue added break- floor consists of recycled, tics and associated handling 14 days and 12 installers plus fast events to the originally wood-like material. The pavil- for the entire tour to ensure climate technicians and elec- planned live cooking dates at ion is equipped with fully au- smooth operation. tricians for building technol- lunch and dinner times. tomated airconditioning and ogy for the actual construction lighting technology, which al- up‘date: What is actually in- on site. lows for the adjustment of the volved in constructing one of structure‘s ambiance depend- these pavilions? up‘date: What did the guests ing on the specific event and and chefs think of ‚The Cube‘ requirements. The aperitif, Frieder Braun: Planning and by Electrolux? for example, can be enjoyed production, including a small anywhere on the base area mockup and a complete trial Frieder Braun: The concept or on the external platform. construction had to be com- has been very successful, and The table is lowered from the ceiling only when it is time for the meal and for the guests to take their seats. Once the

meal is finished, the table is Kohen Photo: Carol pulled back up under the ceil- ing, opening up all of the floor space once again. up‘date: The structure is mo- bile – what other stops are in the pipeline?

Frieder Braun: Two identi- cal pavilions were created. The next scheduled stop will be Milan. For 2012, Absolute Blue is planning something for the Olympic Games in London and on the Opera in Stock- holm. Every location has to be checked to the minutest detail, as the pavilion targets mostly very high-profile inner city venues. Eleven articulated trucks will be unloaded on site in quite a short time and the REPORTS 06

Event Structures for Pope Visits in Madrid and Freiburg

Huge crowds gather to cel- ebrate spiritual moments with the of the Church wherever Pope Benedict XVI travels. The World Youth Days are just one example for the importance of safe and so- phisticated event infrastruc- tures. In the Spanish capital Madrid, NUSSLI was tasked by the organizational com- mittee to construct a total of 65 temporary structures in 9 locations. These included two complete TV studios for the media and for broadcasters. It took 25 NUSSLI installers to put together 260 tons of material, which allowed the smooth operation of hundreds of individual events, including masses, concerts, and religious in Freiburg at the end of Sep- challenge for the installers, of membrane covering for the meetings (image above). „The tember: The team created a as the design included an ex- altar island were recycled in logistics challenge was less in roofed altar island of 2,200 traordinarily large overhang of a very special way at the end the construction itself than in square meters (image below) 16 meters. Innovation power of the event: the material was the number of event structures on the terrain of Freiburg‘s was needed for the realiza- used for the manufacture of and their geographic distribu- City Airport. In the interest of tion of this large-scale project: fabric bags, which represented tion“, remembers Jan Ruiz del sustainability, 80 percent of NUSSLI developed an entirely a memento of particular value Vall, general manager of the the system material used will new roof girder for this specific for devout catholics. NUSSLI subsidiary in Madrid. be reutilized in later stage con- project, which will be utilized NUSSLI also contributed to the structions. as a bridge system for spans success of the Pope‘s visit in The highly complex roof con- up to 30 meters in future proj- Germany, where he appeared struction posed a particular ects. The 1,250 square meters 07 REPORTS

A Moving Stage for a Moving Performance

Once again the thunerSeespiele had to get more than just their festival set new standards in feet wet: six men worked in terms of artistic expression diving gear for two weeks to with the world premiere of get the substructure done. In the show ‚Gotthelf – The Mu- addition to the stage, NUSSLI sical‘. NUSSLI constructed the also erected a grandstand with partially moving stage, which 2,700 seats and a platform for was driven by winches and a the sponsors, as well as a direc- central control unit, thus con- tors‘ and VIP podium. In total, tributing an important aspect a team of 20 installers bridged to the impressive theater event. around 4,500 square meters of The highly complex construc- water surface in just three and tion meant that the installers a half weeks.

Davis Cup Excitement at the Perfect Location

Davis Cup matches count tant event by the Royal Spanish among the most important Federation (Real Feder- events in the world of tennis. ación Española de Tenis). The It is not just individual players highly sensitive environment of competing against each other, the world famous arena ‚Coso but national teams – and there- de las Califas‘ was soon trans- fore entire nations are holding formed into a venue with 400 their breath, while athletes comfortable VIP box seats. The fight for ultimate victory in the NUSSLI team also designed and finals. That is why a Davis Cup constructed the catering areas, round is a matter of prestige. restaurant sections, and shops. Each host country therefore Furthermore, the project in- has very high requirements cluded grandstands for around Partnership with the for a Davis Cup venue, which 2,300 spectators. The project Real Federación Española de Tenis (RFET) must generate as much public furthermore included media exposure as possible. For Spain, and press areas, and rest areas The Real Federación Española de Tenis (RFET), founded in the bull fighting arena in Cór- for the players. The temporary 1909, is the Spanish umbrella organization for tennis. The doba presented an incompara- structures had to live up to the federation is responsible for the Spanish Davis Cup team bly authentic backdrop for the extremely high expectations of and the Spanish Fed Cup team. In the summer of 2011, breathtaking semifinal matches the international tennis elite. In NUSSLI and the RFET formed an official partnership for – and the national team‘s vic- just ten days, a 40 man team the organizational planning, rental, tory over and a place put together a total of 340 construction, and removal of grand- in the final was their well-de- tons of material. stands and other temporary event served reward. structures for RFET events. NUSSLI had been tasked with the organization of this impor- REPORTS 08

Soccer with Real Beach Ambiance

A relatively young trend sport is slowly but surely gaining the kind of attention in Europe it so richly deserves: beach soc- cer. This sport is gaining mo- mentum, much like the already very popular beach volleyball. Beach soccer originally came from . It is now played world-wide in over 110 coun- tries and has developed into a professional sport. The game is significantly faster than regular soccer and is a lot more de- manding in terms of technique. Seven countries from the Euro- pean professional league met this summer in Berlin to fight for a place in the finals in Mos- cow, making Germany for the first time ever host country World indoor arena in Berlin as cluded around 200 roofed VIP 6 days. After the end of the for a large-scale beach soccer their tournament venue, where seats, media spaces, and a VIP highly successful soccer event, tournament. The Beach Soc- NUSSLI constructed a U-shaped area spanning 110 square me- the temporary structures were cer World Wide Federation se- grandstand system for 2,200 ters. In total, 12 installers used removed within two short days. lected the forecourt of the o2 spectators. The project also in- up 125 tons of material in just

The Art of Gardening Uniquely Presented

The Gardening and Life- world of gardening for all the The materials used for the sup- feeling. The business confed- style Fair ‚Giardina‘ bursts senses. This year, NUSSLI was port structure here were wood eration ‚Jardin Suisse‘ focused onto the scene with colorful in charge of the structural and steel. The exceptional on the diversity and gran- bloom each year in Zurich, implementation of three dis- structure stretched across an deur of the tulip on their 400 never failing to impress with tinctive concepts. For Berger area of 185 square meters. square meters stand. 30,000 spectacular stand displays Gartenbau, NUSSLI created The integrated swimming pool real tulips adorned the display that highlight the fascinating the exotic ‚Marrakesh House‘. created an authentic holiday with the floral name ‚La Boîte aux Fleurs‘ (The Flower Box). NUSSLI constructed the stand in record time, as they did the impressive display of Spross Ga-La-Bau AG, where trees seemed to inexplicably grow down from the ceiling. The 520 square meters stand was constructed from the plans by Martin Abplanalp. The cen- tral theme of the display was spring with all its intoxicating facets. The implementation of the multimedia elements of light and sound was realized in cooperation with Winkler Ve- ranstaltungstechnik. Visitors could therefore experience the topic ‚spring‘ literally with all their senses. 09 REPORTS

Sophisticated Logistics for the Fistball World Championships

Fistball is a very popular sport as defending champions in close as possible to the fans. and Linz. In Pasching, where in Austria. The alpine repub- the summer of 2011. Tempo- NUSSLI constructed a variety the semifinals and finals were lic entered the championship rary event infrastructures were of different grandstands with held, the team expanded the games, which were held in needed for a total of five lo- 1,200 to 2,100 seats in Salz- existing stadium, the ‚Wald- Austria from August 7 – 14, cations to bring the action as burg, Kremsmunster, Vienna, stadion‘ by 600 additional seats. Overall, NUSSLI con- structed 7,200 seats from 250 tons of material, and coordi- nated logistics between the far-flung locations with a total of 15 trucks. The installation work was supervised by one chief installer each, heading up a team of 20 helpers. The exciting tournament finally culminated in the final, where Austria faced Germany. The host nation eventually conced- ed the title to Germany after a very evenly matched and hard game.

The Dream of Automotive Passion

NUSSLI‘s competences were 6,500 square meters. NUSSLI in high demand at the Inter- also constructed the exten- national Motor Show (IAA) in sive structures needed for Frankfurt. Their highly complex the press confer- tasks included the construc- ence at the Ballsport Hall in tion of the display stands for Frankfurt-Höchst: in addition two industry giants: BMW and to a grandstand with 1,500 Volkswagen. The challenges seats, a 2,500 square meter were immense and required raised stage and two mighty sophisticated logistics to coor- galleries were built, which dinate the movement of 200 hovered eight meters above tons of steel, countless cubic the ground. A glass box with meters of wood, and enor- a floor element that could be mous amounts of other ma- raised, set a spectacular scene terials in over 150 truck loads. for a new Porsche model. The For BMW, NUSSLI constructed fourth project consisted of a generous runway – as they the construction of a 48 x 60 had previously done in 2009 – meter temporary event hall where their premium models for the premium manufactur- could be displayed in action. er . All of these projects The display stand of Volkswa- required precise installation gen, with a base area of 8,000 management, as the time slots square meters, required every for construction and removal ounce of knowhow NUSSLI were extremely narrow. had to offer. The multi-storey construction consisted of an elegant material mix: 120 run- ning meters of light wall and glass flooring to the tune of REPORTS 10

Where ‚Eternal Love‘ Lives

The musical ‚Evita‘ is for Ar- humorous piece about love and 1,000 seats with unobstructed tons of material within a very gentina what ‚Ewigi Liebe‘ betrayal has been on stage in views of the stage. The musi- short space of time to create (Eternal Love) may become for Berne since November 2010 as cal hall was constructed on the a temporary home for ‚Eternal Switzerland: a musical opus well, presented at a temporary Wankdorf City terrain, with di- Love‘, which could be removed with national identity factor, in theater that was constructed mensions of 60 by 37 meters. quickly and completely at any which traditional Swiss dialect by NUSSLI in just two and a NUSSLI installers also created time, should the need arise. At evergreens have finally found half months. In addition to the foyer, VIP podiums, grand- the moment, however, there a home. Almost half a million the stage technology features, stands, and partition flooring seems to be no limit to the suc- people have come to see the which were tailor-made for and walls. The team of 15 ex- cess of this original Swiss musi- musical in Zurich to date. The the musical, the venue offers perts installed a total of 550 cal story.

More Space for Paddle Tennis

Paddle tennis is quite similar ramp were created. The special to the traditional version of challenge here was the difficul- the sport, with the only dif- ties that logistics posed: A par- ference being that it is played ticular challenge was posed by with shorter rackets and in the tricky logistics owing to the doubles only. Every time the limited access to the stadium. Spanish Padel Pro Tour reaches When the tour’s top players the capital Madrid, seats at the start their fight for the title in stadium ‚Ciudad de la Raqueta‘ Madrid in December, NUSSLI are always scarce. The solution: will also be part of it all once the quick and easy construc- more. The existing stadium will tion of an expansion by NUSSLI. again be equipped with tem- 1,800 additional seats and 272 porary grandstands and VIP VIP seats complete with access seats. 11 REPORTS

Playing Football in a Baseball Stadium

College Football is coming to AT&T Park. The NUSSLI project in San Francisco, California demonstrates that sometimes an unconventional approach leads to the best solution. AT&T Park, the home stadium of the famous Giants baseball club, will become the tempo- rary home to the University of California Golden Bears foot- ball team. Due to renovations in their own home stadium, the Golden Bears will play their 2011 home games in AT&T Park. In order to equip the baseball stadium for a foot- ball game, NUSSLI provided the stadium with a grandstand facility located in the outfield section of the ballpark provid- ing 6,000 seats. Due to the Gi- The particular challenge for rapid construction called for ants still playing baseball, the the NUSSLI team is due not caution during construction, temporary spectator seating is only to the remarkable speed to prevent damage to the deli- installed in a 36-hour period in which the facility needed to cate baseball field,“ according by a team of 18 assemblers be built – an equally important to Pascal Derron, who was in working in two shifts and dis- aspect is the flexible game- charge of management for the mantled in just 24 hours. dependent planning. „The project.

Focus on Automotive Future

Volkswagen used the corpo- Group‘s various brands. NUSSLI point of the project was a ‚cat- scape of podiums and a sec- rate evening on the day before created the proper background walk‘ on which the numerous ondary support structure for the start of the Geneva Motor for the event from plans by Feld innovations of the VW brand the construction, which took Show 2011 to present a view & Team GmbH at the Sècheron family were to be showcased. up an area of 1,200 square me- of the history and future of the Hall in just five days. The focal NUSSLI also created a land- ters. The 26 man strong NUSSLI team constructed a comfort- able grandstand system, from the vantage point of which the 600 invited guests could enjoy the highly emotional brand presentation featuring inno- vations and concepts of the brands Audi, Porsche, SEAT, Skoda, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Bentley, and of course VW. The design and color scheme was futuristic and purist to create a fitting background for the ve- hicles and the effectively cho- reographed framework pro- gram of the presentation. The team needed just two days of double shifts to remove all ele- ments of the project after the show. COVER STORY 12

Innovation as a Means to Highlight Tradition

The Scottish are a proud people and they take their traditions very seriously. One of their most important traditions is the annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It is the largest music festival in Scotland and draws around 220,000 visitors to Edinburgh Castle each year. The high point of the event is the traditional march of 250 pipers and drummers in front of the castle. NUSSLI was tasked by Sir Robert McAlpine to design and construct a temporary grandstand system in the highly vulnerable environment of this unique historical building, which had to fulfill all requirements for a premium-quality permanent arena.

Night turns into day, when 200 an ancient extinct volcano is a customer to inspect the vari- Construction Time was red-kilted pipers, accompanied place of national identity – the ous folding seats, railings, and Halved by a breathtaking fireworks Scottish crown jewels, for exam- floor coverings to be used. The Previous grandstands had display, march solemnly across ple, are stored within its walls. installation of the overhanging been painstakingly con- the draw-bridge of Edinburgh Every event held on the mighty structural components was structed from thousands Castle towards their destina- forecourt, the Esplanade, must very difficult, which is why of individual steel elements, tion, the Esplanade in front of therefore comply with special yet another prototype was which had to be interlinked. the castle proper. This is the requirements to ensure that the created, once the plan- The new grandstand sys- moment that 8,800 specta- historical buildings will not be ning stage for the entire tem, on the other hand, was tors on the newly constructed damaged in any way. steel construction was planned from the very begin- grandstand have been waiting With this tall order in mind, complete. This time ning to drastically reduce con- for – and no true Scotsman, so the planners at NUSSLI went to the prototype was struction and removal times. It they say, will miss the spectacle work in 2009 to create a grand- constructed in ac- was particularly important to broadcast live on TV. stand system that would fit this tual size on the cut down crane work hours to Military music groups from very special environment to a T. premises of the Scot- a minimum, as space on the around the globe participate in Once the development phase of tish steel fabricator. It was then Esplanade would be at a pre- this large-scale event, and much an optimized preliminary project used to practice the construc- mium. NUSSLI designed the of its fascination is based on the was complete, an initial grand- tion and removal processes and steel parts, which have to be fact that it is so intimately con- stand prototype was manufac- to verify the practical usability mounted with a crane anyway, nected with Edinburgh Castle tured at NUSSLI‘s own fitting of the custom grandstand ele- as large as possible and preas- itself. The fortress on top of shop in Hüttwilen to allow the ments. sembled them as much as they 13 COVER STORY

could. The buildings consist of siderably more complex than its out in parts up to 9 meters over individual room modules, which predecessor. the precipice. The work on the are up to 3.6 meters wide and The architectural layout of the foundations required much 9.8 meters long. The grand- new grandstand system has care, as the area is – on top stand components that still been optimized. The new closed of everything else – also an ar- have to be assembled by hand U-shape allows for better space cheological site. And: All work were designed in aluminium utilization, and even the corners had to be coordinated in such to keep them as light-weight now offer high-quality seating, a way as to not hamper the as possible. All these measures which means a semi-circular steady stream of tourists visiting led to a drastic shortening of ‚bowl‘ is created, which also im- the castle each day. Not an easy construction times – from origi- proves the overall ambiance. task, when a team of 40 men nally three months All seats have very good views needs to coordinate the move- to just six weeks and are much more comfort- ment of 900 tons of steel and – even though the able as well. In order to en- 100 tons of aluminium in 160 new system is con- sure that the system can also truck loads. In addition to the be utilized for rock concerts grandstands, NUSSLI also con- at some point, statical calcula- structed a number of functional tions also allowed for dynamic rooms for technology, VIPs, and loads in compliance with latest for the artists – in total almost and strictest British standards. 100 modular structures. The The result is a much more rigid, new, smarter, and more ef- more massive, and entirely safe ficient grandstand system en- grandstand system. sures that The Royal Edinburgh One particular challenge the Military Tattoo is ready to face planners resolved was the very the future, and that the high de- specific geographic conditions mands and requirements of the of the venue: Castle Rock, on organizers – in terms of safety, which the fortress stands, falls comfort, and sustainability – are away steeply on three sides. fulfilled, while the historic for- The southern grandstand juts tress remains untouched.

“NUSSLI provided a sophisticated grand- stand solution that sets an entirely new benchmark for safety, comfort, architec- ture and functionality in temporary struc- tures. NUSSLI presented itself as a reliable and professional partner and were able to fulfill the many challenges in terms of de- sign, technique and logistics. On behalf of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your outstanding commitment.” Tom Chambers, Major Projects Development Manager The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo IMPRESSIONS 2011 14

Zwingerfestspiele, Dresden (DE) VW Facility Opening, Chattanooga (US) Photo: Ralph Larmann

DEW Tour, Ocean City, Maryland (US)

Bruckner Orchestra Open Air, Linz (AT) autosymphonic, Mannheim (DE)

Movilidad y Innovacion, Madrid (ES) Mercedes Benz Jubilee, Stuttgart (DE) 15 IMPRESSIONS 2011

Crédit Agricole Suisse Open Gstaad (CH) Eurovision Song Contest, Düsseldorf (DE)

Red Bull Flight Day, Lucerne (CH)

Carouge en Fête, Carouge (CH)

‘Outlook’ Bass Music Festival, Pula (HR) Snow Show Barcelona (ES) REPORTAGE 16

Exhibitions to Make 150 Years of Italian Identity more Accessible

How to celebrate the jubilee year of a nation that is famous like no other for its cultural achievements? How can 150 years of Italy be portrayed effectively? Two exceptional exhibitions in Torino have bravely asked these questions and – with the structural support of NUSSLI – have created a fitting portrait of a very special country and its art metropolis.

Which of the many art trea- eleven distinct sections: Rome, sures best reflects Italian iden- Milan, Torino, Genua, Venice, tity? Which works can be seen Parma, Modena, Florence, Bo- as symbolic for the fairytale logna, Naples, and Palermo. riches of this nation‘s cul- Visitors walk in part along ture? Who are its worthiest 2.500 square meters of paint- representatives? Leonardo da ed synthetic grass covered Vinci, Botticelli, or Tintoretto? with 20,000 leaves represent- A stroll through the impressive ing the four seasons, in part architecture of the Juvarra sta- on 700 square meters of walk- bles and the Orangery at the on mirror flooring that creates royal palace Reggia di Venaria an extraordinary spatial effect. Reale presents a mixture of the All in all, NUSSLI has con- virtuosity of many exceptional structed 4,500 square meters artists. The incredible height of walls of painted fibreglass- of the rooms leaves the visitor reinforced plastic, up to 6 feeling small and insignificant meter in height – the rooms, in the face of the incredible and the entire palace, are part art all around. The major met- of a UNESCO World Heritage ropolitan cites of Italy, which Site. That meant that the con- and sensitivity. The large num- the unique diversity of Ital- have shaped centuries of his- struction of these exceptional ber of platforms and show- ian art. The Museum Officine tory with their painters and art backdrops had to be con- cases were a conscious effort Grandi Riparazioni also cre- sculptors, are presented in structed with particular care to underline and accentuate ated a multi-layered exhibition symbolic for another aspect of Italian identity in a historic factory building. The curators have put together a variety of typical Italian topics in 13 areas, traced their historical development, and highlight- ed their influences over time up to the present day – top- ics include the church, war, industrialization, Mafia, and the media. The individual topic ‚islands‘ were equipped with various multimedia elements, e.g., interactive videos or talk- ing statues representing his- toric figures. NUSSLI specialists were tasked with the planning and implementation of the entire audio and video tech- nology for all presentations, installations, and projections – who were therefore given the opportunity to wish Italy a ‚Happy Birthday‘ in their own way. 17 REPORTAGE

A Lab for the City of the Future

The BMW Guggenheim Lab is an entirely new approach to finding answers to the great questions posed by urban life in metropolitan centers of the future. A mobile lab is hereby the pivotal point of the project, which is made accessible to everyone and acts as a pulsating nerve center for ideas and concepts. NUSSLI constructed this mobile lab in – using the visionary material carbon for the very first time in the company‘s history.

Human life will concentrate requires a brave approach, project entails that a total of of around 250 square meters around metropolitan centers which will create concepts three separate labs, which and stretches over two floors. in the future even more than without any constraints and will travel to various metro- The lower part of the structure it already does today. That fact open-ended, springing from politan centers around the serves as a flexible meeting poses some basic questions for the very heart of the cities. globe over six years. New York room, forum or presentation urban communities and city The initiators of this project – was the first experience – the space, and also as a stage or planners: How will cities de- BMW Group, Solomon R. Gug- next stops will be Berlin, then screening room. The lab is velop in terms of architecture genheim Foundation, and the Mumbai. 30 meters long and 6 meters and design? What effects will Guggenheim Museum – have BMW Guggenheim Lab is set wide, at a height of 8 meters. these factors have on social created with the BMW Gug- to bring together leading per- A new experience for NUSSLI: structures, education, science, genheim Lab a mobile and sonalities from the sectors for the material used for the sup- technology, or mobility? The flexible platform, which will architecture, art, science, de- port structure consists of car- complex intertwining of indi- collect ideas, create discus- sign, technology and educa- bon profiles; a material never vidual challenges of this kind sion, and record results. The tion. The lab covers an area before used for building. The REPORTAGE 18 light-weight and also very ro- tations by renowned speakers, Harald Krüger, Senior Board specialist installers for the bust material increases the demonstrations, and screen- Member of BMW AG. He sees actual construction in Man- flexibility and transportability ings. The initial travel circuit the initiative as „a milestone hattan. NUSSLI will also be of the lab. The architectural of the lab will end in Mumbai founded on our experience in in charge of the logistics and design is by Bow-Wow Stu- in 2013. The findings of this the areas of sustainability and constructions of the BMW dio in Tokyo. The focal point visionary project will then be cultural commitment“. NUSSLI Guggenheim Lab‘s next stops of the initiative under the fu- presented in a special exhibi- specialists provided the engi- in Berlin and Mumbai. turistic roof of the BMW Gug- tion at the Guggenheim Mu- neering development for the genheim Lab lies on a program seum in New York. „We want lab and realized its production comprising 100 subsections to trigger an open dialog and installation – in just five that is open to the public. In- about the challenges we will short months. Four weeks of cluded are workshops, presen- be facing in the future“, says that time were used by nine

Jealousy and Revenge at St. Gallen‘s Monastery

The St. Gallen Festival surprised visitors with the brave production of a lesser known opera. „I lombardi alla prima crociata“ by Giuseppe Verdi is already the sixth opera presented at the St. Gallen Monastery venue on a stage provided by NUSSLI and with the impressive backdrop of the city‘s cathedral.

The annual high-point of St. with spectacular scenes and adapted to modern times and background draws the eyes Gallen‘s festival season is the outstanding choral passages. uses a consciously bare stage of the spectators towards the opera production staged at the The opera is set at the time setting. Hank Irvin Kittel de- towers of the cathedral, and monastery, which forms part of of the crusades, and like in so signed a curved base body for lends an impressive air of reli- the UNESCO World Heritage many of Verdi‘s works, focuses the scenery, which represents gion to the venue. The St. Gal- Site ‚Abbey District‘. „I lom- on love, jealousy, religion, and all locations of the play, some- len Festival has made a name bardi alla prima crociata“ is a good versus evil. These top- times giving the impression of for itself with unconventional traditional opera with a reli- ics come alive today just as a leaf, a dune, or a wave. The productions of lesser known gious topic, and its production they did in the 11th century. larger distance between the works by famous composers, impressed St. Gallen audiences The production tells the story stage and the cathedral in the and has become an insider tip for music lovers nationally and internationally. NUSSLI con- structed the stage and scenery, as well as the grandstands for the very first festival in 2006, and has done so each summer since then. The implementa- tion of this year‘s stage set posed a particular challenge to NUSSLI‘s wood production unit: a wave-shaped, three-di- mensional scenery, which com- prised an integrated, water- tight orchestra pit. This year‘s production, the opera „I Lom- bardi alla prima crociata“ is a coproduction of St. Gallen Fes- tival and the ‚Domstufen Festi- val (festival on the steps of the cathedral) in Erfurt. The same stage will be reconstructed at next year‘s Domstufen Festival in Erfurt, and will represent the locations of the opera in front of the imposing cupola dome of the city. 19 REPORTAGE

Self-supporting: A strong bit of extending

It is THE top football event on the African continent: Gabon and Equatorial Guinea will be the hosts for the spell-binding final round, in which 16 national teams will be fighting for the trophy of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. One of the locations will be Bata in Equatorial Guinea, where the local stadium with about 20.000 seats to date did not fulfill the requirements for hosting an event of such magnitude. NUSSLI delivered the solution for the space and quality problem by constructing a second, roofed tier: more than 15,000 additional seats in the new upper tier, which had to be planned as a self-supporting structure, result in a modern arena with capacity for 35,000 spectators.

The extension of the foot- cluding roofing“, explains Proj- steel parts just wouldn‘t do“, in the end: the capacity of the ball stadium in Bata extends ect Director Bernd Helmstadt. says Bernd Helmstadt. The Bata stadium has increased by like a spaceship into the steel NUSSLI planners had to dig tropical climate in the coastal 15,150 places, and professional blue sky. It is ready to host the deep and draw from their ex- nation of Equatorial Guinea infrastructures for the press and opening match and one of the periences from many stadium means that corrosion protec- for TV broadcasters have been semifinals of the Africa Cup of projects so that all requirements tion is a particularly important implemented. The stadium ex- Nations: its shiny outer shell, in terms of safety and comfort issue. It meant that all elements tension is impressive in terms next generation materials, and could be met. Only complete had to be coated with a special of its dimensions as well: it is significantly more height come compliance with the extremely anti-corrosion agent. „We had 280 meters long, 210 meters together to present a sight that high standards of FIFA and to plan every single step in the wide, and 27 meters high. The no football fan in Bata has ever CAF would guarantee excit- workflow with highest preci- top rank spectator places are seen. A lot of knowhow and ing football fun of the highest sion because of the very tight reached via 16 large and secure experience had to be invested order. In addition to planning, schedule we had been given“, stairwells. Even the electric sys- into this very ambitious proj- NUSSLI was also in charge of all remembers Bernd Helmstadt. tems and flood-lighting were in ect until the African Football aspects of logistics and final in- And it worked: construction the hands of NUSSLI. Bata foot- Federation CAF approved the stallation. Both of these turned began at the end of February ball fans have already fallen in venue, and until it complied out to be stimulating chal- 2011, and the whistle for the love with their ‚new‘ stadium. with the highest requirements lenges – particularly in terms first test match will be blown The permanent extension con- set out by TV stations, VIPs, and of the huge volumes of mate- in November this year. When structed by NUSSLI in a modular the press. That was because rial needed: 275 sea contain- it came to the installation of way (Modular Stadium®) makes the structural condition of the ers with the steel construction the self-supporting extension, the arena now and in future a original stadium did not allow and fassade shell made from more than 120 specialists were potential contender for large- NUSSLI specialists to simply add aluminium had to be shipped involved hands-on at the top. scale sports events at an inter- the planned extension on the after they were constructed at Responsibility for the hugely national level. And it also in top of the existing structure. the manufacturing facilities in demanding planning phase some way helps symbolize the „We had to develop an entirely Germany, the Czech Republic, alone was divided among 12 growing power of a developing self-supporting upper rank – in- and Italy. „Regular galvanized heads. But it was all worth it continent. OUTLOOK 20

2012: It‘ll Stay Exciting up‘date not only summarizes projects from 2011, but also offers a taste of some current and future challenges on this page.

BMW Guggenheim Lab in Berlin The BMW Guggenheim Lab and construction of the proj- will be presented next in Ber- ect. lin/Germany. Here too, NUSSLI was tasked with the logistics Temporary extension, Art History Museum Berne, Berne (CH)

‚DAS HAUS‘ – New Roadshow Baku Crystal Hall Constructed across North America with NUSSLI Participation

Between April and July 2010, ies. Two NUSSLI project man- A state-of-the-art sports and in the planning and realization ‚Casa Alemana‘ travelled agers are in charge of plan- concert complex will be cre- of the complex. The arena, through 13 Latin American ning the smooth construction ated in Baku (Azerbaijan) over which will bear the name ‚Baku countries, introducing Ger- and removal, as well as exten- the coming months. In cooper- Crystal Hall‘, will provide space man industry knowhow with sive logistics for the pavilion – ation with Alpine Bau Germany for around 25,000 spectators regards to renewable energy which will be traveling by rail AG (Eching), the general con- on the site where the state flag and energy efficiency (as re- and road – as well as all neces- tractor tasked with the project, is flown. ported in up‘date 2010). As sary customs formalities. Two NUSSLI will be majorly involved a follow-up to the successful Swiss NUSSLI installers will be tour of Latin America, anoth- accompanying ‚DAS HAUS‘ er roadshow was developed: on the entire tour, and will be ‚DAS HAUS‘ began its tour of heading up local construction North America in October of crews at each location of the this year. The ‚DAS HAUS‘ 15 roadshow. month tour will stop in 12 cit-

Eton Manor, London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Expo 2012 Yeosu, Korea As a follow-up to the exciting 2012 in Yeosu, Korea, NUSSLI projects at the Expo 2010 in will be constructing the Swiss Shanghai, NUSSLI will also be pavilion for Presence Switzer- involved in Korea. For the Expo land.