Bank of America Pavilion
Boston, Massachusetts
A-Form Architecture, NYC
Clear Channel (SFX Entertainment, Inc.)
Complete Tensile Structure Design/Build by Span Systems, Inc.
One of the country's most striking open-air amphitheaters, the 44,000-square-foot Bank of America Pavilion (formerly the BankBoston Pavilion) provides an extraordinary setting to enjoy summer performances by the world's best. Located on Boston's historic waterfront, the pavilion is surrounded by magnificent harbor and skyline views. With a mandate to design, manufacture and construct the clear-span roof structure in 6 months, Span Systems was certainly up to the task.
The project was designed and manufactured to replace an existing temporary musical venue in Boston, which was designed to be dismantled each season and stored. The owners wished to have a permanent year-round structure that could withstand the 120-mph wind load and 40-PSI snow load requirements for the area.
The PVC fabric was Precontraint® 1502 T2 with PDVF finish from Serge Ferrari S.A.
The large project was erected in record time of six weeks in 1999 along the beautiful Boston harbor at 290 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA.
Unique design features of the project include:
- A 300', 10-story clear-span trichord arch suspending 40,000 ft2 of fabric
- 5,000 unobstructed-view seats
- Two 18-inch stainless steel arch end hinge spheres support the 85-ton main supporting arch with moment-free elegance
- Fully adjustable tripods, membrane plate fans and arch plate connections are designed to account for fabric creep and allow for long-term adjustability.
This fabric structure project was an unequivocal success, acting as the centerpiece for a vital rehabilitation of a previously economically depressed commercial area and serves as a highly visible and distinct landmark for residents and travelers to the city.
Dozens of performances yearly by top entertainers, from Tony Bennett to Crosby Stills and Nash to Aretha Franklin, have established the Bank of America Pavilion as New England's favorite outdoor concert venue for audiences and performers alike. Ask Span Systems about making your venue dreams into reality.
