Sail Sculpture Julianus

Project Julianus (former monastery in Tongeren – Belgium)

Literally balancing between art, design and architecture, searching the extremities of materials, static design and adequate forms, this sail sculpture spans it’s huge wings like a dynamic bird or dragon above the courtyard of the former monastery in Tongeren (Belgium). A large free-span structure of 37m x 37 is supported by 3 flying masts of each 17meter high, balancing on stainless steel wires. No mast touches the ground to keep the free space of the courtyard. A 'beak' snaps to the pond and solitary tree in the courtyard. Because of the dramatic sculptural effect of this membrane, the architect calls his realization “sail sculpture”. The membrane in Tongeren is realized in PTFE with a translucency of 40%. Under the grey and often dark sky of the low lands as Belgium, architecture has to be as translucent as possible. The materials are precious and carefully chosen: pure PTFE with a high translucency and high quality stainless steel, to guarantee a life expectancy of 30 years and more.