THE CHALLENGE – STAYING TRUE TO THE DESIGN CONCEPT WITHOUT BLOWING THE BUDGET
McGrath Amphitheatre is close to the hearts of the Cedar Rapids community, because it occupies a site that was severely flooded in 2008. Creation of a beautiful amphitheatre for outdoor entertainment was part of the healing process for the city; however, the project had a tight budget for construction.
The bid process was protracted, because initial quotations came in way over budget. This was due to the structural framing system first specified. Structurflex bid for the work on the initial specifications, but also offered a less expensive alternative approach. The project owner appreciated this new input and Structurflex was ultimately awarded the project.
THE SOLUTION – A MODIFIED DESIGN AND FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENGINEERING
The Structurflex design team worked from the architect’s original concept to develop an affordable structure that met the original design intent. Structurflex also assumed the role of Engineer of Record for the project, taking on responsibility for the steel framing, membrane and cable systems. Clean, attractive and smart connection details allowed a seamless erection process in the field, while adjustable tensioning and clamping systems simplified the challenging process of installing PTFE fiberglass during cold weather.
The ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Cedar Rapids riverfront redevelopment plan, McGrath Amphitheatre opened in August 2013 and has already become a favorite entertainment venue for the city.
Press
“A tensile structure solution,” Fabric Architecture Magazine
Related Blog Post
“Structurflex find solution for McGrath Amphitheatre, Iowa”
We are pleased to have collaborated with KieranTimberlake and the outfit of a parking structure on the Rice University Campus. In their blog post, they describe the concepts they employed to create an iconic sculptural element. For more details see the KieranTimberlake blog post.
The Increasing Importance of DurabilityWhile tensile fabric has several distinct advantages over more traditional materials like glass, one of the most important may be its ability to withstand severe weather events. Our tensile structures and tensile facades in Miami, Jacksonville, Houston, Fort Worth, Waco, and Atlanta did not sustain any damage or require any repair despite enduring events ranging […]
