The autobau Erlebniswelt in the port city of Romanshorn is expanding its exhibition space and converting the massive steel tank inside the polygon building. An exciting construction project that brings a historic industrial building to life.
From extinguishing water tank to autobau world of experience
In 1902, the Federal Customs Administration erected the steel tank in the twelve-sided polygon building, first to store alcohol and later extinguishing water. The tank was also filled with rapeseed crude oil for some time.
In December 2015, autobau received the conversion building permit and had a small opening welded into the steel wall immediately afterwards. This entrance made it possible to precisely measure and inspect installations in the tank, such as a maintenance ladder, a level indicator and various pipes. The installations were removed and stored so that they would be available for possible dismantling. The rapeseed crude oil in particular is the reason why three workers had to clean the inner wall of the tank by sandblasting in an initial time-consuming step. The sand was extracted after use and specially disposed of. The workers then painted the inner walls by hand and are currently in the process of removing the scaffolding from the tank.
Three floors for Fredy Lienhard's vehicle collection
The imposing steel tank - 22 meters in diameter - provides the perfect setting for the expansion of the autobau world of experience. A special part of Fredy Lienhard's vehicle collection is displayed on three floors. A staircase, which offers a view of the impressive steel wall, connects the floors. A car lift is also required to move the exhibits. Visitors reach the new exhibition space via a passerelle.
autobau AG is working intensively on the conversion of the polygon. On the one hand, it wants to preserve the historically significant building in its original state, and on the other, it wants to make optimum commercial use of it. This is a challenging task, which is why autobau called in Dr. Bettina Hedinger from the Thurgau Monument Preservation Office as a consultant at an early stage. This collaboration was already constructive during the renovation of the existing buildings. Autobau is therefore confident that it will also be possible to reconcile the ideas of the monument preservation authorities with its own usage plans for the polygon conversion.
Unique building in Switzerland
At the media briefing on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, Paul Kunz, the client's project manager, provided information on the development of the construction project. After an initial idea to use the polygon as an event space with a large projection screen, a sustainable and economically viable form of implementation has now been found. Dr. Bettina Hedinger praised the investment volume of around CHF 4 million, which had been intensively examined in advance, and said it would make it possible to experience a building that is unique in Switzerland.
Although the sandblasting took a little longer than planned, the construction work is on track according to architect Yanick Volpez from Müller + Partner Architektur AG in Sulgen. The opening of the new exhibition space is planned for fall 2016.
All further details can be found on the website.
