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Space Eye in Uecht: an observatory with a visionary facade made of carbon-reinforced concrete
The Space Eye in Uecht near Bern is not only a modern observatory, but also an architectural masterpiece. In addition to the largest public telescope in Switzerland, the building impresses with its innovative facade, which is reinforced with carbon. Manufactured by ELEMENT AG with solidian carbon reinforcement, carbon fiber-reinforced concrete (CFRC) sets new standards in sustainability, design and functionality.
Why carbon concrete?
The decision in favor of carbon fiber-reinforced concrete was made for several reasons:
🟠 Filigree construction: The Space Eye's facade is particularly thin and light – properties that would hardly be realizable with conventional reinforced concrete.
🟠 Simple anchoring: The CFRC elements require less complex fastenings, which facilitates assembly and saves costs.
🟠 Resource-saving: Carbon concrete requires significantly less material than conventional reinforced concrete, which leads to a better CO₂
🟠 Corrosion-resistant: Since carbon does not rust, there is no need for additional protective measures, which reduces maintenance costs.
Technical details
Material thickness: The facade consists of prefabricated concrete elements with a thickness of only 50 mm. The slim design reduces the dead weight and saves valuable resources. Instead of steel, the high-strength carbon fabric solidian GRID Q142-CCE-38 was used. This reinforcement offers high tensile strength and significantly extends the service life of the components.
Weight reduction: The elements are up to 50% lighter than comparable reinforced concrete components. This not only makes transportation easier, but also installation.
Innovative formwork system: The vertical part of the formwork was fixed in place while the horizontal part was folded up and filled with concrete. This technique made it possible to realize the extraordinary shape of the facade.
Sustainability and durability: Thanks to the absence of steel and the high durability of carbon concrete, the facade is significantly more durable and requires less maintenance. The lower material consumption results in a significant reduction in CO₂.
A facade that sets new standards
The Space Eye impressively demonstrates that carbon concrete offers not only functional but also aesthetic advantages. This innovative construction method allowed the futuristic, almond-shaped architecture of Mario Botta to be perfectly realized. The tower's white facade stands out strikingly against the landscape, yet remains harmoniously embedded in its surroundings.
The Space Eye observatory is a prime example of the pioneering use of carbon reinforced concrete. The targeted use of innovative materials has resulted in both architectural and ecological advantages. The building is thus not only a gateway to the universe, but also a model of sustainable construction.
Images: © ELEMENT AG
