What challenges did you face during the development of the Olympion Roof System?
“The biggest challenge was the timeframe. We received the order in early January – for two roofs, each in a different configuration – with the first one to be delivered in the first weeks of May. In that short window, we designed the complete system, including two new truss types: the XL77TOW tower trusses and the XXL119 horizontal trusses. The team pulled off a huge effort: designing many new parts, building jigs for both the robotic and hand welding lines, and overcoming inevitable production setbacks. Delivering everything on time was only possible because of their relentless commitment. It was truly a pinnacle team effort.”
What guided the design of the system?
“The scalability – mainly in the stage width – lets end users adapt the roof to the size of the event and the artists performing. This came directly from customer requests. Since we had already based the truss design on scaffolding dimensions and combined that with our keder roof system, making the structure scalable was a natural step.”
How does the Olympion compare to other roof systems on the market?
“The Olympion is very quick to build. We designed it around common logic: truss sizes match the 207.2 cm scaffolding dimensions, the tower bases use the same connections as scaffolding, and the XXL119 truss has a simple but effective connection that makes both pre-cambering and grid building straightforward. Combined with strict QC and tight tolerances, it all comes together fast. That said, it is still a large roof system for experienced users. We provide extensive training and support – either during a test build or the first build to make sure crews get fully up to speed.”
How does this system meet safety expectations?
“Safety was central from the start. The roof was engineered in close cooperation with the civil engineering firm we’ve worked with for over 30 years. Every detail has been calculated and re-checked through countless meetings to ensure full compliance. The system meets the latest EN 17879:2024 standard.”
How far can the Olympion Roof System be pushed creatively?
“Every structure has its limits, of course, but within those boundaries there’s a lot of flexibility. Customers can discuss bespoke elements with us, and we’ll adapt as far as possible – whether that’s in height, depth, or load capacity. This will become a custom solution, but we’re open to tailoring the system to fit unique needs.”
What sustainability considerations went into its design?
“The roof is mainly aluminium and steel – both highly recyclable materials. We’ve reshored most of our production to our HQ and work closely with local partners, which reduces the logistics footprint. In terms of lifespan, these systems are built to last. With proper maintenance and inspections, trusses can have a very long working life. Give them some TLC, and they will serve you for decades.”
How has the system performed in the field?
“We’ve only had the first builds this summer in Greece, but the feedback has been very positive. As with any first build, there were minor challenges, but the customer was impressed with how neatly everything fit together and how straightforward the design was. On the second build, the roof faced heavy wind – a common situation in Athens.”
What was the response like?
“The feedback was that it stood rock solid without flinching, which gave the customer real confidence in the system.”
Photos: SIXTY82 and Mariza Kapsabeli
