04/16/2008 - New roof at the Sugar Loaf
 The new
gastronomy area of the cable-car station on the Sugar Loaf in Rio de Janeiro is
equipped with a membrane from Mehler Texnologies.
The view
from this Rio landmark is spectacular in itself - and now the restaurant has
received a roof construction to match. The renowned architects Fiedler
Engenharia Ltda. created a sinuous design, the arches of which follow the form
of the surrounding landscape.
With a
total area of 1,000 square metres, the roof covers a space that is open at the
sides, offering a breathtaking view over Rio de Janeiro. Although the roof
usually covers the restaurant of the cable-car station, at short notice it can
also be converted to house events of various kinds.
The VALMEX®
FR 900 MEHATOP F membrane enabled the engineers to incorporate organic forms
into a taut design. An open, intricate frame of two and three-inch thick steel
tubes and supporting discs provides the necessary stability, whilst nonetheless
conveying an impression of playful lightness. Spotlights integrated in the
frame project a bizarre light onto the membrane in the darkness. The manifold
advantages of the double-sided MEHATOP F surface coating with PVDF lacquer come
into effect here.
 By day, it offers pleasant shade and protection against UV
rays, whilst in the evening the reflection of the coating bathes the arches in
an almost mystical light.
The
unconventional form of the roof and the special atmosphere of the lighting are
an impressive example of the many options that textile architecture has to
offer.
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