Fabritecture was engaged to design and construct a freestanding PTFE amphitheatre canopy at Nankin Square in Westland, Michigan. The structure forms the centrepiece of a new $12M public park development funded by the City of Westland, providing a sculptural civic gathering space for community events, performances, and everyday visitors.
Delivered under a Design and Construct contract, the scope included geometry refinement, engineering, supply, and installation of a Chukoh FGT800 PTFE fabric canopy, working from Structuflex drawings.
The fabric was fabricated by Fabric8 Membrane Services and the steel structure by TBC China Grand, with installation delivered by IFS and The Northern. The total plan area spans 3,690 sqft, supported by 17,600 kg of structural steel finished in a bold hyper blue architectural coating system.
Sculptural freestanding geometry: The canopy’s self-standing steel arches required detailed temporary works analysis to safely support the structure during installation, with the full steel frame erected in just two days.
High-performance PTFE fabric: The selected Chukoh FGT800 PTFE membrane delivers long-term durability, UV stability, and weather resistance suited to year-round public use in Michigan’s variable climate.
Bold architectural finish: A multi-layer coating system combining Zinc Clad II, Macropoxy 646, and Acrolon 218 in hyper blue creates a striking visual identity that anchors the new park as a civic landmark.
Foundation coordination: On-site coordination was required to resolve foundation challenges outside Fabritecture’s original scope, ensuring the structure was delivered on program without compromising performance.
The Nankin Square Amphitheatre delivers a distinctive civic destination for the City of Westland, supporting a broader park development that includes a bridge, boardwalk, lookout, and playground.
The structure transforms a community investment into a visually memorable public space, giving residents a dedicated venue for events, performances, and everyday connection while reinforcing Westland’s commitment to vibrant, cultural destinations.
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"We're proud to have built the Nankin Square Amphitheatre, a space designed to bring people together and elevate community events. This project reflects our commitment to creating vibrant, cultural destinations for Westland."
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