Architecture inspired by a wing

The very form of the building was designed to evoke flight: streamlined, wing-like, seamless. To bring Dietrich Mateschitz’s vision to life, Salzburg-based architect Volkmar Burgstaller and his team created countless sketches and models, refining every detail. The dimensions were tailored to fit the entire fleet of The Flying Bulls – including their largest aircraft, the Douglas DC-6B, which had to pass through the hangar doors with ease.

Once the shape and aesthetic were defined, the number crunching began. Feasibility studies and structural planning called for unprecedented solutions. After all, no one had ever attempted a shell structure of this shape and scale – spanning 67 by 100 metres without internal supports. International engineering firms in London and Stuttgart were brought on board, ultimately confirming the structure’s feasibility.

Despite containing 1,200 tonnes of steel and 380 tonnes of specialised glass, the construction feels light, elegant and aerodynamic. No two of the 1,754 glass panes are identical. Two glass cylinders were integrated into the design to house the bar, restaurant, lounge and administration areas – and at the same time, they serve as key structural elements by providing transverse bracing. Additional stability is provided by a stiffening ring at the crown of the shell. With the installation of a glass floor and an arched walkway, the Threesixty Bar was born. Further ramps and terraces around the twin towers offer fresh perspectives on the ever-changing exhibits inside Red Bull Hangar-7.

Targeted light sources accentuate the space and create a special atmosphere. It wouldn’t be Red Bull and it wouldn’t be Red Bull Hangar-7 if even details like the basic lighting were left to chance: The lights embedded in the floor are arranged in the exact constellation of stars as seen on 22 August 2003 – the day Red Bull Hangar-7 officially opened after 20 months of construction. A starry beginning for Salzburg’s newest landmark.

• Start of planning: October 1999
• Start of construction: January 2001
• Opening: August 2003
• Floor area: 3,700 square metres
• Covered area: 4,100 square metres
• Glass panels: 1,754 pieces
• Steel construction: 1,200 tonnes
• Concrete: 14,000 cubic metres