Great Heavens Gate, Berlin, Germany

The symbol of the Ecumenical Church Day 2003 in Berlin was the halo. In keeping with this motif, a halo in the form of an air-supported tube with an outer diameter of 25 m was placed at a height of 13 m directly in front of the Brandenburg Gate, creating the so-called Great Heavens Gate. The conceptual design describing the different approaches is presented as well as the structural design and construction of this temporary structure needed only for five days and having a very limited budget and tight construction schedule. This example shows that lightweight structures are very efficient in acting as temporary structures. The minimized material not only allows easy transport and fast erection it also leads to a pleasing appearance.