Fabric structures keep concertgoers in the shade

[Silling Assoc. Inc.] Charleston, W.Va., U.S.A.

Charleston, W. Va., like many river towns, has discovered the benefits of a revitalized riverfront, including a narrow park and amphitheater on the sloping banks of the Kanawha River that winds through the city. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created the Haddad Riverfront Park in 1993 as a regional gathering place for festivals, music listening and river watching, but the Haddad amphitheater’s concrete seating absorbed the sun’s rays each day to radiate heat, making it unbearable for spectators long into the evening. To provide a comfortable setting, Silling Assoc., working with fabricator Birdair Inc., designed three separate fabric structures, including a primary performance stage cover, a large cover with a retractable component over the amphitheater seating and a smaller, sculptural fabric structure downstream that marks the connection between the park and downtown. The new Schoenbaum Stage is the primary venue for the West Virginia Symphony and hosts entertainment throughout the year.