South Hook LNG Inauguration Dome

Tectoniks Ltd., Shrewsbury, Shropshire, United Kingdom

The project involved the design, construction and installation of a 35m (115 ft) diameter inflatable dome to serve as the venue for the inauguration ceremony for the South Hook Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at Milford Haven in South Wales, United Kingdom.

The dome would be surrounded by aluminium framed marquees that would house reception areas and exhibition spaces. The entire complex would be installed on a temporary deck located in the contractor’s car park at the South Hook terminal.

The site for the event was a location on the South Wales coast with a reputation for high winds. One of the client’s primary concerns about using such a large inflatable dome was its structural performance, particularly in high winds. The client also required the dome to block out all natural light so the interior lighting and visual presentations would have maximum impact. Noise levels from the pressurization system were also a concern.

The dome had to be installed on temporary decking on a site with a significant slope. The deck measured 63 meters (207 ft) by 61 meters (200 ft) and was not designed to withstand the weight of forklift trucks and cranes. The dome, therefore, had to be capable of being installed using manpower alone. The solution was to design the dome to be supplied in five pieces, each weighing approximately 650kg (1,430 lbs). Each section was lifted from the delivery truck onto the edge of the deck using a forklift truck, from where it was dragged to its position by hand. A new method of joining the sections of the dome on-site had to be devised so the assembled dome looked like one continuous structure. The solution was to use two layers of fabric keder that were stitched and heat sealed to the dome. The fabric keder strips on adjacent dome sections were then joined using aluminium keder track cut into sections to follow the curvature of the dome. A separate fabric weather strip was concealed between the two layers of keder to provide additional weatherproofing.

The decision to design the dome in five sections was also made to provide five independent pressurized zones, each with its own pressure control system. In the unlikely event of a failure of one section, the remaining sections could support the failed section and prevent the dome’s collapse. Since the dome used a unique welded construction, it required little air to maintain pressure once inflated.

Despite windy conditions throughout the installation and during the event itself, the dome performed flawlessly.

Eloquence on the Bay

Miami Awning Co., Miami, Fla., United States

These contemporary and innovative awnings are installed on the facade of the parking garage/recreation area of a five-star condominium. Twenty-six “wave” panels measure a maximum of 8'2" high by 26'6" wide. Thirty-two awnings range from 8'3" high by 6' to 4'3" wide.

These awnings add architectural interest to a condominium's parking garage/recreation facade. The owners of this new condominium also wanted to keep vehicle headlights from distracting residents across the street. These awnings add harmony to the facade and flow toward the entry of the condominium.

The architect envisioned using “waves” on the building’s facade to create a visionary perspective when approaching the condominium’s entrance. To carry this out, extensive measurements were taken and had to be coordinated for fabrication and installation. Special plates and structural tubing were used to facilitate installation. Engineering to the Florida Building Code maximized frame sizes. Innovative construction methods were used to measure, design and fabricate the awnings so installation would be quickly accomplished.

The facade is creative, impressive and sophisticated, and its serene “waves” draw attention and flow to the entrance. The project complements the architecture and embodies how fabric architecture can complement—and be an asset—to any project.

Spice Restaurant

Miami Awning Co., Miami, Fla., United States

This is a custom dining terrace canopy for the terrace of Spice restaurant, designed to complement the Moorish architecture of the resort. The canopy projects 22' off a segmented wall and measures 93' in circumference.

The canopy was designed to protect the restaurant's dining terrace and shelter patrons from the heat of the dry season and the downpours of the rainy season without restricting the views of the water.

The wall of the restaurant was segmented and as the canopy radiussed outward, all points were transferred to it. Posts were bolted to an existing short wall. Since the canopy was installed with no welding, all connections were determined in the shop. The entire project was fabricated out of marine grade aluminum and engineered to 110mph winds. Innovative construction methods were used to measure, design and fabricate the canopy so installation would be fast.

The canopy creates the seaside dining that the owners hoped for. The space is fresh and vibrant—like the cuisine. It is dazzling and, at the same time, relaxing. The white canopy reflects and accentuates the colors of the water. This was also a good choice for being “green.”

This project was challenging because it was in the Caribbean. This canopy was measured with one trip. Our motto is to have everything done right the first time, since the distance from the factory to the jobsite was extensive. Design, fabrication, shipping and installation had to be coordinated, along with work permits for the crews that were installing the frame and fabric. The finished project complements the architecture of the surrounding buildings and embodies how fabric architecture can be an asset to any project.

Posner Residence

Miami Awning Co., Miami, Fla., United States

The project consisted of a 12' by 12' awning above a bar area for an exclusive penthouse residence overlooking the bay and ocean. The client wanted the awning to reflect originality and creativity, finish off her terrace and make the area memorable. It needed to be refined, customized and exclusive. The challenge was to meet the customer’s design requirements and taste.

The awning’s unique design includes flowing curves and accents. It was a challenge design-wise, in fabrication and installation, and was built to Florida Building Code standards. Because the penthouse is on the 26th floor, once the framework was constructed, it had to be disassembled and brought up through a service elevator. It then had to go through the home and up to the second floor without disturbing antiques, fine carpeting and furnishings.

According to the client, the awning is a topic of conversation at the many parties she arranges and has on her penthouse terrace.

Port Royal Tennis Center

Sunmaster of Naples Inc., Naples, Fla., United States

The project consisted of three motorized retractable awnings for shading and connecting the outdoor space of an exclusive waterfront club’s newly-built tennis center.

The architects wanted to enhance the exterior courtside facade connecting two sister buildings while providing shade to those taking a break. The retractables help define the functional outdoor space, while the deck and steps also serve as an observation platform when games are in session, so the shade factor had dual importance.

Three unit header boxes are mounted on different planes while the front bars are in alignment. This is why the angles and projections for the two side awnings are about half that of the wider middle unit. The housing boxes and frame elements are white to blend with the exterior wood trim of the building.

The combined units offer respite from the sun, a place to cool down from activity and provide an architectural element to the buildings. The units are motorized individually, allowing for a greater range of choice.

Speaking of Home

Portland Color, Portland, Maine, United States

Speaking of Home was a 150-foot environmental design and public art project charged with re-imaging the use and experience of the Twin Cities skyway system, the most expansive in North America. Designer-initiated and implemented with city and private stakeholders, it was the first skyway public art project in the history of the Twin Cities. The project was installed in the IDS Center/Macy’s skyway bridge in Minneapolis, above Nicollet Mall, between 7th and 8th Streets.

There were several key design challenges: to respect the architecture of Philip Johnson’s IDS Center; to ensure the return of the space to normal conditions following removal; to avoid impeding the flow people through the busiest skyway in the city; and to create an identity system strong enough to compete with retail, yet subtle enough to let the art speak for itself.

As a social justice project, Speaking of Home—consciously positioned at the city’s nerve center of finance, commerce and power”gave voice and presence to Minnesota’s expanding immigrant population while sensitizing the general population to their own immigrant roots and difficulties new immigrants face. Designed to symbolically invert the relationship between the city’s native-born citizens and its recent arrivals, the project situated the immigrants as stationary onlookers, while locals passed by and moved through the city. Approximately 90,000 people were impacted by the project per day: 16,000 inside the skyway and 75,000 pedestrians on Nicollet Mall.

The project required intense cooperation between the artist (Nancy Ann Coyne) and Portland Color. The artist was on-site for more than a week during production, overseeing the fabric choice, print quality and finishing solution.

Speaking of Home has been lauded by public art experts, and funding is being organized to repeat the project in St. Paul, Minn.

Speedo

Canvas Experts Inc., Ocean City, Md., United States

The client wanted a full cover to protect his cigarette boat during travel and storage.

Sixteen templates were patterned to create this job. It took almost 10 hours to pattern and more than 80 hours to sew. All edges of burned acrylic fabric were covered with European-style acrylic braid binding so a soft edge would touch the boat. Canton fabric was used on anything that needed protection from the acrylic fabric.

The client, who had commisioned two previous cigarette full covers, was very happy with the end result.

Zodiac Pro

Bennett Custom Canvas Inc., Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada

The client requested a bimini top and full enclosure for a Zodiac Pro inflatable tender he used to ferry himself and his family to their primary vessel on Toronto Island. He wanted something functional as well as funky.

Two new sets of oark lock pads were mounted to the inner tubes to act as the pivots for the two-piece roof. The forward section of the roof is removable to leave a freestanding four-piece bimini over the steering console. A window was installed in the forward section of the roof to promote visibility while standing at the helm. To allow greater accessability at the midship entry points, the legs of the frames were arched forward and aft. In fact, all of the legs of the frames and the bracing are arched for function and aesthetics. The most difficult part of this project was securing the enclosure panels to the inflatable tubes. This was accomplished with a combination of stay-put fasteners that hook to the existing rub-rail and some strategically placed mushroom caps glued to the tubes. Finally, the roof and all panels were finished with black trim to complement the colors of the boat.

The project has been turning heads in Toronto Harbor for two seasons, and four clients have requested similar projects.

Formula Upholstery Project

Cape Canvas & Rigging, West Yarmouth, Mass., United States

The client needed the high-use areas of his boat reupholstered to match the remaining cushions. Matching fabric, style and design was his priority.

The first hurdle was locating the fabric to match the vintage Formula. Three types of Nautolex® (Stratford, Navigator, Sunlaser) and Formula’s custom white vinyl were used. The Sunlaser was discontinued and was found in deadstock. All of the plywood frames were rotten and had to be copied and replaced with new marine plywood coated with epoxy. After the frame fabrication each piece of the cushion skins had to be unstitched, flattened and used as a pattern. The number of panels meant there was little room for error. All the seams match the original design, including double and single topstitching and piping. Some pieces required sew foam. The upholstery required staples for the wood section and glue to secure the fiberglass section. The helm features hydraulic articulating seats.

The client was thrilled when he saw the work and has committed to finishing the rest of the boat’s upholstery this winter. This project is Cape Canvas & Rigging’s go-to example when showing prospective clients our upholstery work.

Beneteau “Lounge” Cushions

JSI, St. Petersburg, Fla., United States

The project entailed designing and building nontraditional cockpit cushions for a Beneteau sailboat to create a more comfortable area on deck. The customer wanted the cockpit area to be more like down below and to become an extension of the living space, with overstuffed cushions and leaning pads on the stern pulpit.

Reticulated foam was cut on a CNC cutter to create the seat bottom shapes and backs. The cushions were made so they wrap up and over the coamings so people can lean or lounge on them. All of the cushions were made in a sort of overstuffed look with Dacron® wrap so they had a home upholstery feel as opposed to traditional hard cockpit cushions. The cushions that attach to the stern pulpit were mounted on two pieces of plastic with a flexible area in the middle so it will bend around the pulpit. Please note the backrests on the stern pulpit that wrap around and are clipped to the SS rail.

This has become a standard style for the Beneteau dealer and JSI has sold this style to quite a few owners of both powerboats and sailboats.

I Can See Again

Nautilux Custom Canvas, Red Bank, N.J., United States

This project was a full enclosure for a Main Cat 30, with 14 panels and three screen insert panels. A forward center window encompasses the mast with a formfitting collar for a weathertight seal. An aft center door panel gives access to the cockpit area.

The goal for this project was to create an enclosure that would give the owner a more unobstructed view with better clarity and eliminate the problem of the old enclosure preventing access to two storage lockers on the port and starboard aft corners.

The forward windshield area windows in the old enclosure would sag just before and through the forward corners. Tension was not the problem; placement of the panel breaks was. The deck had a hard transition point that wanted a 3-D shape. By changing the vertical break on the outboard edge of the large forward windshield panels and angling it slightly, the sag was almost eliminated. A 0.5" negative was taken out of each panel for that specific vertical break.

The result was fantastic. The original forward center panel was mostly cloth, and using all windows increased visibility. The collar was patterned separately. A gasket used for garage doors was chosen because it created a thick seal and its lip helped move water away from the mast. With the old enclosure, the storage locker doors would make contact and scratch the glass. A simple railing was installed to force the aft panels outward, then down to a track. This not only saves the panels from wear, but opens up more seating room.

The owner’s first response was “I can see again!” The smooth new windshield didn’t have the distortion of his old one, and the modification to the aft panels saved him from repairing the panels every year.

Religious Celebration

Classic Party Rentals, McCook, Ill., United States

An event planner contacted Classic Party Rentals to plan a religious celebration at her client’s home. This project required creating an entire temporary environment for six different events of the two-day celebration. It would require intricate planning, detailed and creative design skills, and expert installation techniques.

Production meetings were held to determine whether it was possible to create a layout that that would incorporate the client’s vision. The main request was to design a tented environment by creating a consistent look and feel throughout the yard, while incorporating the existing bushes, trees and flowers, to house the religious ceremony, candlelighting services, meal functions and kiddush celebration for guests ranging from 250 to 800 people over a two-day period. Classic Party Rentals provided 18,688 sq ft of structures to accommodate a 2,000 sq ft custom octagon reception tent; a 7,920 sq ft dining tent; a 1,800 sq ft back yard tent; a 2,080 sq ft tent over the driveway; two kitchen tents totaling 2,700 sq ft; a 225 sq ft crew tent; a 768 sq ft restroom and coat check tent; and 1,195 sq ft of seven connector tents to create a continuous environment.

Some of the space was not usable due to landscaping. The yard was narrow so it was important to custom design the area within the limits of the available space. An architect was consulted to ensure that the design concept was structurally sound and because he was licensed to secure the required village permits. To minimize removal of landscaping, the floor was raised up to 3' in some areas and the flooring was built above and around the hedges and bushes so only a few bushes and trees had to be removed. Custom panels were cut to fit around two large trees. The opening of the panels started out larger on the top and gradually decreased in size to funnel through the floor into the ground underneath to avoid leaking in the event of rain. A custom designed 40' x 50' octagon tent fit between the large trees and landscaping. Access to the site was challenging due to the fencing, limited space allowed, landscaping and lack of street parking for trucks.

The Chicago office was instrumental in designing and providing the tents for this event. The custom panels were manufactured there and had to be transported to New York, so the design had to be exact. The entire installation took 10 days and involved crews ranging from a minimum of eight people to a maximum of 25 people.

Design Miami/ 2008

Eventstar Structures, Miami, Fla., United States

The purpose of this project was to design and manufacture an innovative venue space for Design Miami/ 2008. This temporary structure housed more than 25 design galleries in a single 43,000 sq ft space during the fair in Miami, Fla.

What was unique and complex about this project was manufacturing the architect’s design for a temporary pavilion while meeting all local building codes as well as adjusting to the size of the lot, which dictated the structure's dimensions. Due to the meticulous design, and different roof slopes in various directions, proper water drainage was an important detail. A seamless aluminum rain gutter of more than 300 linear feet was installed where three roof slopes met. The water was evacuated via aluminum downspouts every 16' that penetrated the raised wood decking system and released the water onto the ground underneath. This was a one-of-a-kind structure never before attempted in the tent industry due its complexity of upright placement and the enormous heights. One 26' high center column allowed for the structure to turn 90 degrees. Another feature of the structure was its 40' high facade. It contained an exterior mesh made of Ferrari Soltis® fabric that was laser cut with a beautiful pattern that would move with the wind and allow the space for access and light to enter.

Natural light was controlled through the outer mesh facade to naturally illuminate the furniture and design objects. The highly customized facade allowed for a layered transition from the public space into the galleries inside. The structure’s entry height allowed for a 40' palm tree to protrude through the clear vinyl roof panels while still allowing for a covered entry porch and preventing any water permeability. The floor was reinforced to allow forklift usage during load and loadout. More than 65 million dollars worth of art pieces were housed in the structure, so beams, uprights and all connections were heat sealed onsite to ensure that water would not penetrate the structure.

The client was very satisfied and signed a three-year commitment to use this structure for its national and international exhibits. In fact, the structure is being credited with keeping the spirits and sales of the dealers high in this economically challenging time.

Suzhou SIP

Covertex Membranes Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China

Beijing N & L Fabric Tech. Co. Ltd., Beijing, China

In 2009, Covertex Membranes (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. finished work on the canopy on the Harmony Time Square, a large walking, shopping and dining area located within the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, JiangSu Province, China.

The canopy is made out of 292 ETFE air cushions. Five air supply machines guarantee a permanent supply of air to all cushions. Directly under the ETFE roof there is a PTFE structure, on which about 20 million LED lamps are installed. The client claims to be the owner of the biggest LED screen in the world. The total roof ETFE cushion area is about 9,500 sqm and the PTFE part is about 8,500 sqm. The main function of the outer ETFE cushion roof is to provide weatherproofing for the LED lamps and to all structures—such as shops, bars and restaurants—under the canopy. The canopy was designed by HOK (Asia Pacific). The owner is the Suzhou Harmony Group.

Wilbert Funeral Services

Transformit, Gorham, Maine, United States

Wilbert Funeral Services wanted to maintain its reputation for award-winning exhibits, but at a lower cost: both initially and per-use. Triad, the designer/constructor, wanted to reduce the carbon footprint of the exhibit’s construction and use. A major part of Wilbert’s show expense had previously been the shipping and drayage of burial vaults weighing several thousand pounds each. The client also wanted an exhibit that could be easily reconfigured for booths of different sizes. Triad’s design solution was to create Information Pods, which would allow Wilbert to send fewer actual products to the show.

To create a dynamic appearance for the Information Pods, distinctly shaped tension fabric structures were incorporated into their design. The tension fabric structures used were Ariels, rented from Transformit’s Dream Spinners collection. Having a unique crescent-like shape, the 16' tall structures provided the character desired for the pods. Each Ariel structure was integrated into a base that included a large product display counter with double-sided graphics that were cut to a specific shape to complement and enhance the fabric structures. Theatrical lighting was used from overhead trusses to colorize the white fabric structures to match the color scheme used on the graphics and give each pod its own distinct appearance.To offset the reduced amount of product sent to the show, the exhibit incorporated a presentation theater, using a 9' by 12' Transformit Projection Screen II.

VCU Retractable Class Room

J. Miller Canvas Inc., Santa Ana, Calif., United States

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) requested a motorized retractable classroom space for teaching and learning that could retract into the ceiling with a flip of a switch to use the space as a large room for socializing and special events.

The complexity was that the conference room walls had to retract inward to avoid a stairwell that could not be relocated. To accomplish this, the lifting cables needed to travel through the frame but also needed to be pulled back away from the seating area via a pulley system hidden inside the framework. Six micro switches were placed so the wall sections would not hit each other if the switches were not switched in order. A panel will not move until the adjacent panel rises up and engages the micro switch, sending power to the next panel.

The result was well received and has been the focus of a video jointly produced by the university and architect illustrating how this retractable room improves the learning environment.

Viento De Mar Composition 1 & 2

The Design Loft Inc., St Louis, Mo., United States

“Viento De Mar” (Wind of the Sea) is a two-part sculpture. Composition 1 is installed in the lobby of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. The sculpture is fabricated from stainless steel shimmer cloth attached to a ceiling channel system 1202' in length. The woven channel design is reminiscent of rope weavings created by men who stayed months at sea. Viento De Mar also evokes the ethereal nature of invisible sea breezes and the ebb and flow of sea currents.

Composition 2 is installed in the north/south lobby promenade of the hotel. The sculpture is fabricated from stainless steel shimmer cloth attatched to a channel system 600' in length. The design incorporates sea images by suggesting the logarithmic spiral pattern of a nautilus. Both parts of the sculpture incorporate a light system that creates mood through changes in color and intensity of light on the fabric.

The difficulty of this project was the use of the stainless shimmer cloth. Because the cloth has little structure, it's almost like a “liquid” material. To prevent distortion, all seams and pockets were handturned at the tables and then carefully moved to the sewing machines. The fabric was then laid out a second time to measure and adjust as needed. The channel pattern had 106 channel crosses that were a specfic distance from floor to fabric. As this track system was a double track, the fabric needed to match in length to the parallel run. There was more than 9,000 square ft of fabric in Composition 1, and Compositon 2 had all the same fabric challenges, with the exception that the six pieces had continuous lengths of 105' to 140' with widths of 12.0 to 1.5 and height changes every 5'-8'. The challenge was moving these lengths and not distorting the shape of the fabric. Again, the fabric was hand turned; sewn and laid out a second time for adjustments. Composition 2 also had a double track system. There was 3002 sq ft of fabric designated for this section of the sculpture.

Fetish

Alphonse Mattia Furniture: Art & Design, Westport, Mass., United States

This is a batch production upholstered chair designed and produced one or two at a time. It was meant to evoke a certain playful quality of obsession or fetish while still being able to fit in a variety of interior environments.

There was no initial client at the beginning of the project. Mattia designs and builds more often on speculation, investigating design ideas or concepts about functionality whether that be real or implied. Some of his work is more about function or, as in this case, primarily to be used as seating.

As is often the case, when Mattia designs something he will make it in a batch. This chair is one of 13, a baker’s dozen. These chairs were shipped to various locations in the U.S. and one pair as far as London. Three chairs are left.

This chair has been popular with Mattia’s clients. It gets attention wherever it is shown and, at a fairly steep price, Fetish sells slowly but consistently. An ottoman is being designed for the remaining chairs, as well as for any of the previously sold ones. After this, a new chair will be designed.

As a teacher, Mattia sees the landscape evolving as young minds apply themselves to the design arts and believes handmade, small production and even one-of-a-kind furniture and decorative arts objects will always have a significant place in our culture.

Pelican Hills Resort

J. Miller Canvas, Santa Ana, Calif., United States

J. Miller Canvas created motorized roman shade type roll curtains for a high-end golf resort to deal with afternoon sun and ocean breezes.

These shades had wide spans that needed to be both functional and of very high quality materials, and had to be installed into tight alcoves to hide all motors and roll tubes. One detail that makes this a unique installation is the custom-turned solid brass end fittings that were finished with a hand-rubbed chemical bronze finish that matched the building finishes.

The client, who is a repeat customer, is very satisfied.

Shenzhen East Huaqiao City Indoor Water Park

Shanghai Taiyo Kogyo Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China

Shanghai Shanghai Taiyo Kogyo Co. Ltd. designed an ETFE roof for the Shenzhen East Huaqiao-City Indoor Water Park (amusement park). The client requested that the ETFE cushions be blue and have three layers. Some of the cushions will be used as scuttles.

Part of the roof is retractable, so ETFE cushions and corresponding air circulation systems were designed to be able to move with the retractable roof. Due to the complex shapes of this project, there are several hundred types of ETFE cushions.

This project is one of the largest ETFE projects in China and will contribute to the popularity of ETFE structures in China.

Mona Lisa Resort

The Awning Factory, Orlando, Fla., United States

The client required a shade covering for an outdoor dining area on the second floor of its building, an 80' wide by 16' projection awning that did not have columns or supports. It had to be freestanding and cantalevered from the building. What made this especially challenging is that it had to be done on a round building. This was constructed of 4' by 12' aluminum beams. The Sunbrella® was attached using the staple-on system.

The client was satisfied, and The Awning Factory received another job from the general contractor.

Point Boston Peninsular

MakMax Australia, Eagle Farm, Queensland, Australia

The project is a roof installation on a clubhouse facility on the Point Boston Peninsula.

The architect specified PTFE as the roof of the building for its sustainable qualities, including minimal resource use, the ability to transmit up to 17.5 percent of sunlight to lower electricity costs, and the product’s longevity. As the focal point of the development, the architect wanted to design something that would stand out. With the flexibility of tensile membrane, he was able to achieve the look he had envisioned.

The unique undulating awning framing of the building mimics the waves that can be seen through floor-to-ceiling glass walls that have a 180-degree view of the beach. Adding more interest to the building’s overall look are the two conical umbrella structures that make up the main roof canopy. The natural light illuminating from the ceiling gives patrons a new viewing experience.

The building looks fantastic and has generated many positive reviews from the architect, client and patrons.

Pedestrian Bamboo Bridge

Castro Rojas Ingenieros y Arquitectos Ltda., Bogotá, Cmarca, Colombia

The project is the cover for a pedestrian bamboo bridge at a main road crossing. Its purpose is to provide cover to a bridge built with an ecological material—bamboo—which cannot be left uncovered if a long life is desired. At the same time, it was important to create a sculptural element to mark the bridge’s location.

The challenge was to match the bamboo bridge geometry, which can vary depending on the labor used, so on-site measurements had to be taken. It was especially important to develop connection details between the steel cables and the bamboo elements.

The structure is not only appreciated by those who use it, but it has become an architectural icon in the city.

Tepic Fair Entrance

Lonas Lorenzo SA de CV, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

The client wanted the ticket office at the Tepic Fair’s entrance covered in a simple form. The complex part was to do the project—from design to installation—in just two weeks.

The client was so happy with the presentation that he used the project rendering for the fair’s publicity campaign.

Battery Park City Ferry Terminal

Birdair Inc., Amherst, N.Y., United States

The project was designed to house people waiting to board the ferry, as well as function as a sea taxi station. The client requested a fabric structure that would imitate the look of sails on a boat.

The tensile roofing structure is permanent, built on a barge that deflects. The peaked and undulating fabric design was meant to recall canvas sails, and was designed with as much glass as possible to preserve views from the Battery Park City Esplanade. Between 7,000 and 8,000 passengers are expected daily through the terminal.

The end result is a functional, visually intriguing and highly durable tensile roofing structure for the ferry and sea taxi terminal.

The Battery Park City Ferry Terminal sits on three-quarters of an acre and, at 1,200 tons, is the largest of its kind in the U.S. The terminal was originally constructed in 1989 to provide ferry service between Hoboken and Battery Park City, functioning as a temporary structure consisting of a floating landing terminal and appurtenances. New York Construction News named the new terminal “Best Public Works Project for 2008.”