Hangar-7

Architecture on wings

It all began with an entirely pragmatic problem: the Flying Bulls were looking for a suitable hangar that could be put to various additional uses. The core of the airplane collection and by far the largest object is a DC-6B with a rudder nine meters high. The basic idea was to construct a self-supporting shell around this airplane - as a symbol of the heavens.

The enclosure of altogether 64,300 cubic meters of space—with materials including 380 tons of special glass—was concluded on 22 August 2003 with the grand opening of Hangar‑7. Afterwards, the airplanes of the Flying Bulls moved into what is certainly the most spectacular place that airplanes have ever called home.

Even just the architecture rises quite literally above all other such structures: viewing it from the outside, one immediately thinks of a wing. The structure seems dynamic, practically weightless—despite weighing far over 1,500 tons. From the inside, the airplanes appear to be sheltered by their own heavenly canopy. The imposing form was achieved via the use of exactly 1,754 pieces of variously sized glass plates, some of them curved, which were joined to form a steel-and-glass construction.

The architectural concept of Hangar‑7, which marries modern technology to ancient, mythical dreams of flight, was realized at great expense and with great deal of innovative élan. Not only were planning and construction influenced by the results of a wind tunnel conducted on a scale model, but the diagonally tilted steel-and-glass ellipsoid, with a clear span over 100 meters long and 67 meters wide, defines entirely new limits of what is architecturally possible.

The concept behind the new Salzburg Airport landmark goes far beyond serving as a mere storage space for airplanes. Hangar‑7 was conceived as a place where technology, art and fine living come together. It houses a gourmet restaurant, several lounges, a café and two bars. Since its opening, the hangar has repeatedly played host to large art exhibitions and society events. It has also become popular as a location for presentations.

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