Farnborough Airship Hangar, Farnborough, UK

This structure dates from the origins of the British Army Balloon School. It is a framework that formed part of a portable airship hangar which was recovered by Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST). It has been restored and re-erected by Slough Estates as the centrepiece for a major refurbishment of the now disused Farnborough Airfield site. The airship hangar will become a feature in the middle of the business park to commemorate the history of Farnborough Airfield.

The hangar is made up of 112 riveted lattice frames, each weighing half a ton, and bolted together to form the 260-foot long structure. To reconstruct the arches a cruciform central plate was supplied to allow four tension members to come together. It is braced using 400 number galvanised M20 tendons and 184 number 6mm diameter stainless seteel cable systems supplied by Daver Steels.

There is more detail from Julian Harrap Architects (PDF), and from the engineers Hockley & Dawson. Littlehampton Welding manufactured and installed the steelwork, there are more details on the Littlehampton Welding website.

Photographs courtesy of Littlehampton Welding & Hockley & Dawson