The construction site of the Honglou 1905 project in Jinan will, upon completion, become the largest urban redevelopment initiative in the city of 9.2 million residents.
Located in a commercial area just a street away from schools, residential buildings, and a century-old church, the project posed significant challenges in protecting the surrounding infrastructure. To address these concerns, the developers—China Energy Construction Group and Licheng Urban Development Group—enclosed the entire site under a 50-meter-high dome made of high-strength, heat-reflective polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).
Measuring 159 meters in length and 108 meters in width, the dome spans an area of 20,000 square meters, making it, according to the developers, the largest inflatable dome in the world.
The base of the structure is constructed from reinforced concrete, while the upper portion is a membrane system supported by air pressure. In addition to two pedestrian entrances, the dome includes two emergency exits and one vehicle access point. Since the air-supported membrane requires no internal columns or beams, it creates a vast open space that allows for uninterrupted movement of construction vehicles and machinery.
According to the developers, the dome is engineered to block 90% of construction dust, reduce noise pollution by 80%, and protect the site from wind, rain, and snow. Notably, it can withstand up to half a meter of snow accumulation and category 12 gale-force winds.
