Volkswagen Autostadt

Architect - Henn Architekten Ingenieure

The Challenge

Volkswagen needed a totally unique structure for a dome theater experience at Autostadt. They envisioned an 18-meter, free-standing sphere to house a dome projection theater. VW wanted the sphere to "float" above a glass floor, supported only by the theater's four entrance ramps.

The Solution

Spitz delivered both the outer sphere and the inner projection dome, along with access ladders and catwalks. Doors and emergency smoke hatches were manufactured with hidden hardware to be flush to the sphere's surface, providing nearly invisible seams. When washed with light, the sphere resembles a floating jewel.