The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is a 1.45 million square foot civic facility that includes 313,400 square feet of total exhibit space ? of which 236,900 square feet is column-free.

Company Name:  Taiyo Birdair Corporation Mailing Address:  65 Lawrence Bell Drive, Amherst, NY 14221, USA Phone:  US Toll-Free (800) 622-2246; Tel (716) 633-9500; Fax (716) 633-9850 Web Site:  www.taiyobirdair.com  Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Contact:  David Capezzuto Title of Project David L. Lawrence Convention Center Cable Roof System, Fabric Ceilings and Fabric Soffit Why was it manufactured? In 1998 Pittsburgh?s Sports and Exhibition Authority announced a design competition for a new convention center.  Rafael Vinoly Architects won the competition, strengthened by their concept of a cable-stayed roof inspired by the Three Sister suspension bridges that span the Allegheny River connecting downtown Pittsburgh with the North Shore. Where is it located? The Convention Center is located on the Allegheny River?s south shore in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. What is unique about the structure and/or what technical difficulties were overcome to make it a reality? The most unique aspect of this $370 million facility is its soaring, lightweight cable-stayed roof structure.  The signature roof shares tensioned cable engineering and construction detailing commonly found in suspension bridges.  The cable-stayed roof consists of a truss-and-metal deck system, and the Exhibit Hall below features an architectural membrane ceiling.  Natural light needed to be diffused, and the solution was to use translucent membrane.  Totaling 135,000 square feet, the 13 membrane ceiling panels mimic the elegant swooping design of the roof structure.  Each panel is 41 feet wide and 14 to 124 feet in length.  The ceiling, suspended below and camouflaging the roof trusses, enhances light distribution and softens the otherwise austere space.  The Hall?s south-facing clerestory also required daylighting control, accomplished by banana-shaped membrane panels 30 to 60 feet high and extending along the clerestory?s 840-foot length.  Lastly, 36,000 square feet of translucent membrane was used as exterior soffits.   How did the project achieve the client?s needs? The placement of the translucent architectural membrane panels allows for natural daylight to enter glass skylights in the otherwise opaque roof, resulting in mostly diffused lighting.  It also creates a unique sun, shadow and shade silhouette effect defining and accenting the lines and curves of the roof structure.  Annual savings from the use of natural light and ventilation are projected at more than $500,000. Any other relevant information? The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is the host venue of the IFAI 2004 Expo Architect:  Rafael Vinoly Architects Engineer:  Dewhurst Macfarlane and Partners Roof System Installation & Membrane Fabrication & Installation:  Taiyo Birdair Corporation Supplier:  (PTFE Fabric) St. Gobain Performance Plastics

Interior ceiling panels

Exterior membrane soffits and curved (banana-shaped) membrane panels

Exterior overall view