Harper College Stage Roof: Installed

PALATINE, IL

The stage roof structure for Harper College is nearing completion. This 1250 square foot stage roof is supported by two parallel arches, canted away from each other with a PTFE Tensile Membrane roof. The structure is notable in that it has been designed and built with removable PTFE side wall panel and rear panel elements. The owner will be able to configure the structure for different applications.

Span Systems robust design and fabrication of the removable walls allows the owner to plan and leave in place different configurations and remain in compliance with all local code requirement regarding the wind and weather resistance. The structure's first use will be the Harper College 2016 Commencement Ceremonies. The side walls will be removed to allow the graduates to pass from one side to the other up and down the ramps at the side of the stage.

ARCHITECT: Eriksson Engineering Associates

GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Power Construction

Tampa Riverwalk Wins IAA Award

TAMPA, FL

Since January Span Systems’ Install Team has been involved in a complex Tensile Structure installation along the new Tampa Riverwalk boardwalk promenade over the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. The six separate structures have a modern, organic look and serve as partial tunnels. They provide shade and shelter at various points along the winding walkway out over the river itself. These high-profile structures are along the East Side of the river, between Curtis Hixon Park and MacDill Park, directly across the river from the University of Tampa.

Part of the design calls for one side of the supporting hoops to wrap around the boardwalk itself and mount to the underside of the walkway. This installation challenge required the Span Team to work from boats below the walkway. It is a unique working platform, but not the first time we have done installation from the water. The structure is expected to be completed later this month.The Architecture is by AECOM with Design and Engineering by Span Systems. Johnson Brothers is the General Contractor for the Riverwalk Project.

Span Systems' work on the Tampa Riverwalk project was recently honored by the Industrial Fabrics Association International. The project, which includes six separate Tensile Fabric Structures received the presitigious2015 International Achievement Award for Tensile Structures with a covered area of less than 600 square meters. The project, open since April has been very popular with residents and visitors to the Tampa riverfront area.

The award itself will be presented next month at the IFAI annual trade show, held this year in Anahein, CA. This is the second International Achievement Award won by Span Systems. The IAA Awards honor work in fabric architecture, design and construction in a number of categories. The Tampa Riverwalk Tensile Structures were designed, engineered, fabricated and installed by Span Systems. Keith Greminger of Kimley-Horn & Associates was the Architect. The fabric used in the structures is VerseidagDuraskin B18039 PTFE coated fiberglass.

Cleveland Cares Pavilion

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.