CLEVELAND, OH

The new tensile fabric canopy structure for the Cleveland Cares Pavilion, part of the Cleveland VA Medical Center, is nearing completion. The six PTFE Fabric panels in a radial, adjacent hypar configuration and their large supporting cantilevers and columns were designed fabricated and installed by Span Systems in Fall 2014. The structure will provide a shaded outdoor area for patients and employees alike. It also provides a striking visual addition to the iconic Southwestern Façade of the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in the heart of Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood.

Of engineering interest are the nearly 20-foot cantilever beams supporting the fabric panels. Designed for the Cleveland area snow-load requirements, the beams receive additional support from rear guy cables, and despite their large size, they still achieve a lightweight appearance and elegant look. The fabric corner plates incorporate spherical bearings to create an ideal fit for the fabric panels. The Architect for the Tensile Structure was CBLH Design and the General Contractor for the Cleveland Cares Plaza was Veteran’s Contracting.