GS-CA has designed a weather-resistant canopy to shelter the clay tennis courts of the National Tennis Center. Developed by an international team led by George Stowell, the long span structure utilizes a low pressure air inflation system to provide a lightweight aesthetic and spacious playing atmosphere.
More images and more about the canopy after the break.
The canopy is designed as a prototype for future uses and is an experiment examining “seasonal demountability”. Constructed from composite pneumatic fabric beams that span 42 meters, internal steel braces the tensile fabric covering.
As the canopy can be dismounted at the end of each season, the design provides large savings when compared with the costs of maintaining existing pneumatic structures, and uses 75% fewer materials than similar large span metal structures.
As seen on World Architecture News.
