FabriTec Structures, a leading North American design/build contractor specializing in tension fabric structures, has announced that it has been selected to design, engineer, fabricate, supply and install two identical tensile membrane canopies supported by steel and cables at athletics team the Florida State Seminoles’ south end zone in accordance with Florida State University’s plans to build a premium club seating section at the south end of Doak Campbell Stadium.
The tension structures will be PTFE Chukoh Skytop 800 architectural membranes and cantilever out over the stadium seats from columns located on a new club level deck. The new deck area will add 6,000 premium seats and hosted services. The total fabric plan area covers 24,930ft².
The design of the tension structures is intended to protect football fans from sun and rain, but also to ensure that no columns would hinder fans’ enjoyment of the game. A notable design element will be the project’s spearheads, located at the field end of several horizontal outriggers, which will extend out over the seating and capture the essence of the spear used by the Seminole Indian – Florida State University’s mascot. Each one will be lit up with LEDs.
The fabric canopies are part of an extensive renovation at the south end of Florida State University’s Doak Campbell Stadium. Other proposed improvements include raising the height of the exterior of the stadium and installing exposed glass staircases and architectural lighting.
The architectural consultant on the project is Rosser International, a leading architectural firm involved with collegiate stadia and other athletic facilities. The general contractor is Childers Construction.
FabriTec expects to start work on site by April 2016 and the entire project will be ready for Florida State’s football home opener in September 2016.
Pics: FabriTec
January 6, 2016