Renderings & Photos courtesy of CBTWO Architects
Sited at Salem, Oregon’s city-owned Riverfront Park, the Salem Rotary Amphitheater is a privately designed and constructed multi-purpose amphitheater that honors the service of the Rotary Club of Salem and the history of the Native American Kalapuya who lived on the land that is now the amphitheater site. The unique open-weave basketweave design of the pavilion shell draws from the woven wood baskets that the Kalapuya created for hundreds of years.
Structurflex was brought on early in the design process to provide expertise on structural options and help shape the design. The intricate amphitheater cover incorporates a woven system made of individual segments of glued laminated wood that support a PTFE canopy. Together, this creates a striking visual presence that also creates an emotional connection with the community.
Because the project was sited on city land, the amphitheater shell was designed to meet local building codes as well as public works codes. It was also designed to withstand the weather in Salem, which can include a heavier yearly rainfall than the national average and severe ice storms.
The Salem Rotary Amphitheater will allow for more events to be held in the Riverfront Park and will protect guests from wind and rain. Located across the street from downtown Salem and adjacent to the Willamette River, this stunningly designed venue will help attract both performers and visitors.
Gerry Frank celebrated at dedication for amphitheater bearing his name
A Friday evening ceremony brought a crowd of Salem civic leaders and politicians to Riverfront Park, where the Rotary Club of Salem’s amphitheater is all but complete. Gerry Frank, 97, was the guest of honor.
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 […]
