Music Dome. Forstmehren, Germany

We were very lucky to have this fantastic opportunity to be part of the team building a round strawbale sound studio in Forstmehren (near Cologne), Germany. Together with?Prof. Gernot Minke, his research assistance Friedemann Mahlke and a team of architecture students from the University Kassel, Germany, the structure was planned, designed and built in 2003.

The dome measures 8.2 metres in diametre and is about 5 metres high. A structure of laminated beams and plywood strips was constructed with strawbales placed in between.

The opening on top of the dome measures 1.8 metres in diametre where a skylight will be fitted.

Internal walls are rendered with clay. Only one coat of clay render has been applied externally before installation of a waterproof membrane.

Vines are to grow over the water proof roof membrane for the building to blend in with nature.