PROJECT SUMMARY

The City of Newport Beach commissioned BCJ Architects to design a new, iconic civic center that would match the surrounding community’s coastal lifestyle and beauty.

TensionStructures.com, division of Eide Industries, Inc., worked closely with C.W. Driver (general contractors) throughout the design/build process to ensure the fabric structure exceeded the vision and expectations of the City of Newport Beach and BCJ Architects. Eide completed the design refinement, frame and fabric manufacturing, and installation of the three-dimensional curtain wall for the newly-completed LEED Silver-Certified City Hall and Civic Center.

The new complex features a curved “sail” facade, made of TENARA® Fabric by SEFAR® Architecture, with a roof line formed like a wave on the main building. For this ePTFE tensile structure to be successful, the signature “sail” shape had to be engineered to meet 90 MPH wind speeds; while at the same time, not acting as a sail itself. To finalize the fabric membrane patterns and steel frame anchoring of the non-symmetrical shape, the entire building and curtain wall structure was built with 3D modeling software and BIM graphics.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Project Name: Newport Beach Civic Center
Project Location: Newport Beach, CA
Year Completed: 2013
Membrane Type: Flame-retardant TENARA® Fabric 4T20 ePTFE made by SEFAR® Architecture
Wind Loads: Engineered for 90 MPH Wind Loads; Exposure “D”
Total Project Size: 30’ High x 81’ Long Tensioned Fabric Curtain Wall