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Oberhausen (dpa / lnw) - The gasometer in Oberhausen has a new look: In the course of extensive renovation work, the huge landmark on the Rhine-Herne Canal has been given a new coat of paint to protect it from decay.
At the moment, the huge plastic tarpaulin that had completely enveloped the more than 100 meter high building during the work is being drained off piece by piece.
More than half of the building has now been exposed again, said spokesman Dirk Böttger on Thursday.
Where the PVC cover has already been removed, a different shade of color appears than last: Depending on the position of the sun, the outer cover is now “something between eggplant and gray-brown”.
This dark gray tone with a reddish admixture is based on the original color that was used when the gasometer was rebuilt in 1949, Böttger said.
The scaffolding, which weighs around 1,000 tons and has been carrying the 30,000 square meter tarpaulin since last summer, is still standing.
It will take 50 workers several more weeks to dismantle it.
The gigantic plastic cover was built to protect against swirling paint dust: since then, all 14 layers of paint on the outer cover have been sanded off before the new four-layer corrosion protection was applied.
The outer shell threatened to be eaten away by rust.
Cracks had also formed in the now renewed foundation.
A total of 14.5 million euros are budgeted for the renovation.
It should be completed in early summer.
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Europe's once largest gas storage facility has been a listed building since 1996 and is a landmark of the region that can be seen from afar.
Inside it is used as an exhibition hall with some spectacular installations.
The construction work for the next show has already started, said Böttger.
Under the title “The fragile paradise” - if the pandemic makes it possible - an exhibition on the beauty of nature and its endangerment by humans will be shown from the summer.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210408-99-127037 / 2
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