Ostankino - Space Frame Structures

Walkway in Ostankino

Moscow, Russia

2020

Walkway in Ostankino

Moscow, Russia

2020

Structure type

Project type

Culture & religion

Project activities

Design and calculations

Grid shell manufacturing

On site supervision

Structure type

Project type

Culture & religion

Project activities

Design and calculations

Grid shell manufacturing

On site supervision

Project summary

In 2020 the observation decks of the Ostankino TV tower reopened to the public after more than a year's break. Visitors to the famous “needle” and the interactive multimedia museum complex located in it will now pass through an indoor pedestrian gallery made of translucent aluminium structures, created by specialists from Space Frame Structures.

The gallery, with a total length of 160 m and a width of 4.3 m, consists of triangular translucent elements made of high-strength aluminium alloys and glass. The glass tunnel has a “living” shape: somewhere its diameter narrows, and somewhere, like near the tower itself, on the contrary, it becomes wider.

To embed a website or widget, add it to the properties panel.

Project summary

In 2020 the observation decks of the Ostankino TV tower reopened to the public after more than a year's break. Visitors to the famous “needle” and the interactive multimedia museum complex located in it will now pass through an indoor pedestrian gallery made of translucent aluminium structures, created by specialists from Space Frame Structures.

The gallery, with a total length of 160 m and a width of 4.3 m, consists of triangular translucent elements made of high-strength aluminium alloys and glass. The glass tunnel has a “living” shape: somewhere its diameter narrows, and somewhere, like near the tower itself, on the contrary, it becomes wider.

To embed a website or widget, add it to the properties panel.

The walkway

The walkway, divided by the checkpoint building into two unequal parts, was built in stages. The first stage is the construction of a 110-meter part of the gallery between the excursion building and the television tower. This part was put into operation last summer - just during the pandemic when the attraction was closed to visitors. The second section, 40 meters long, was built this spring. It provides a closed and weather-protected passage for guests and staff directly into the lobby of the Ostankino TV tower. From the point of view of the materials used and the dimensions of the glass products, the sections of the gallery are identical.

The walkway

The walkway, divided by the checkpoint building into two unequal parts, was built in stages. The first stage is the construction of a 110-meter part of the gallery between the excursion building and the television tower. This part was put into operation last summer - just during the pandemic when the attraction was closed to visitors. The second section, 40 meters long, was built this spring. It provides a closed and weather-protected passage for guests and staff directly into the lobby of the Ostankino TV tower. From the point of view of the materials used and the dimensions of the glass products, the sections of the gallery are identical.

Stages

Only three and a half months from the start of design to delivery to the client, the second section of the gallery was commissioned. The short period indicates the high technological component of this type of construction. All structural elements are specified at the design stage. Then the metal frame and glazing are manufactured in parallel, maintaining minimum tolerances so that the double-glazed windows fit exactly into their allocated cells. Using exclusively bolted connections and system integration of sealing and glass fastening elements into a self-supporting aluminium frame will allow the shell to be assembled in an extremely short time with minimal influence of the human factor.

Stages

Only three and a half months from the start of design to delivery to the client, the second section of the gallery was commissioned. The short period indicates the high technological component of this type of construction. All structural elements are specified at the design stage. Then the metal frame and glazing are manufactured in parallel, maintaining minimum tolerances so that the double-glazed windows fit exactly into their allocated cells. Using exclusively bolted connections and system integration of sealing and glass fastening elements into a self-supporting aluminium frame will allow the shell to be assembled in an extremely short time with minimal influence of the human factor.

Opened on November 5, 1967, the Ostankino TV Tower has long remained an example of architectural innovation and breakthrough technologies. Opened on June 21 2020, the gallery of translucent aluminium structures not only demonstrated a high level of engineering and construction thought but also the capabilities of modern Russian industry, capable of successfully implementing unique projects in a short time.