Michael was invited together with the team of "Ebner and friends (EF)" to participate in the this years 12th Intl. Architecture Exhibition in Venice. The Biennale gives an overview about the status quo and work of contemporary Architecture worldwide and exists out of several Pavillions and Areas in which around 200 Architects from all over the world present their entries. EF was invited
to the “International Pavilion”, the central part of the Biennale, together with the Architects Renzo Piano, Rem Koolhaas, Sanaa, Toyo Ito, Herzog + de Meuron and 15 other international renowned Architects. This years theme of the Biennale is “People meet in Architecture”. The team designed for that reason a bench, which is one of the most pure parts people can use as an urban furniture. The title of this work is “enjoy the view”. The challenge was the use of a complete new, highly innovative material which is translucent concrete. This piece of translucent concrete will show another Facet which can change Architecture essentially. For the reason the reinforcement can be seen from outside, the bench looks like a 3-dimensional x-ray shot, in which the bone, the reinforcement, is visible. The visualization of the inner part of the concrete-structure abrogates the traditional logic of a concrete-construction - the reinforcement gets load-bearing structure and ornament at the same time. It was the first time a useable prototype of this material was built after 5 years of research in this material. The translucency of the concrete varies, due to the used additives, from 20 % to app. 60 %, the comprehensive strength is above 6.400 psi, the tensile strength 345.912 psi and the flexural strength 29.157 psi. It is resistant to Acids, Sulfates and Alkalies (all Data validated by the Materials Research Institute of UNAM). The reinforcement of this kind of concrete is out of stainless steel or glass fibre reinforced plastic. After more material-research and developing this first prototype into a series-status, the material can be used in contemporary Facade-Technology and constructive systems as a part of the architectural design.
The bench is located in a garden in the exhibition area, which was designed by Piet Oudolf. The front part cantilevers for app. 1,2 m above the water of the Venice laguna. Visitors can sit, stand or lay on the bench, enjoying the view to Venice, the boats passing by or to an ocean liner, which is hauled with all its menacing size through the small city of Venice.
The Biennale is open to the public form 29.08.2010 - 21.11.2010, the last Biennale in 2008 was visited by app. 220.000 visitors from all over the world.
