A light-weight, manoeuvrable, self-supporting roof shell makes the famous open-air stage of the Oberammergau ‘Passion’ Theatre independent of the weather without interfering with the open-air sensation. The approximately 630m² (6,800ft²) roof shell covers the stage with an open span width of 41m (135ft). The construction measures 10m (33ft) at its base and broadens in its cantilevered shape up to 14.5m (48ft) at the crest of the roof. Special features help to keep the total weight of about 35 tons astonishingly low. The roof can be moved 46m (150ft) along curved guide rails as far as the parking lot above the stage house where it is no longer visible to the spectators.

The roof shell banks on a vertical and inclined double tubular arc and diagonally erected tubular bands on two levels. At the intersection points both tubular levels are connected via nodes and supported by diagonally running cables.

The outer face of the roof shell is covered with a spring supported stainless steel net, which serves to absorb snow loads as well as to muffle the sound of rainfall. An ETFE membrane serves as a water bearing layer on the inner face, which is point held within the field and secured by pressure strip profiles around the outer rim. Rain water is directed off the roof at four positions via a system of funnels and spouts.

Architect/Structural Analysis: Consortium Jabornegg Pàlffy-Wagner, Vienna