2024 Archive : Diamond Head Theatre

Project Details

Fabric 1

Serge Ferrari Soltis® Proof 502
Producer/Manufacturer: Serge Ferrari North America Inc.
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Engineer Name 1
Ian Robertson, PHD, Structural Engineer

Engineer Company 1
University of Hawaii, at Manoa

Design Name
Jordan Barnes and Gary Barnes

Design Company
Tropical J's, Inc.

Architect Name
Gwyndolyn Mowbray

Architect Company
Studio RED Architects Houston | Denver

Fabrication Name
Tropical J's, Inc

Fabrication Company
Same

Subcontractor Name
None

Graphics Name
None

Project Manager Name
None

Installation Name
DHT - Canopy

Installation Company
Tropical J's, Inc

Please describe the project specifications

The Diamond Head Theatre (DHT) is a cultural institution in the United States. Locally known as the Broadway of the Pacific, it is located on the slopes of Diamond Head in Honolulu, Hawaii. Opened in 1915, it is Hawaii's oldest performing arts center. Most productions normally commence with a sponsored reception on the South Lawn under rented tents.

We were contacted in early 2019 with a design intent that had been bubbling since 2018 to provide rain protection over a planned concrete lanai on the south side of a completely new theater building. Much of the design had become locked in the year before we became involved and we were provided a strict budget with which we started developing a buildable design thru frame engineering and fabric connection details. Customer did not want a white fabric but didn't have the budget for a custom pigmentation of a heavier structural fabric with a longer life expectancy than the 502. So they went with SergeFerrari 502 Moss Green. Understandably, design and construction were significantly impacted by COVID thru 2022 with price increases, labor and material shortages when final contracts were let and production began.

Structure can best be described as a barrel frame supported structure with trussed 3-1/2" S40 rafters sweeping to the south-west side landing on a 3-1/2" front truss atop 18-22ft tall 6" S40 round posts. Cutting fabric on the bias posed significant issue for design and installation. The head bar is mounted to 6" square posts on top of a CMU parapet wall on the north side. The ground sloped from east to west with steps on both the east and west ends. The left-south side of the structure is against but not attached to an associated building. All rafters on the west end at equal heights. The east four fabrics bays of the structure open to a grass lawn. The rafters at this point alternate in heights. All fabric plates, fasteners, and cables are 316 SS.

Covid significantly impacted the workups of the DHT canopy; interaction with the general contractor didn't commence until 7/2021. Interaction with the mainland project/building structural engineer was limited. This resulted in limited exchange of important structural information being filtered resulting in some last minute changes to the frame and fabric. As a final challenge, Heavy rains posed another issue pushing final installation to a few days for a much publicized grand opening.

Overall, we were able to satisfy the structural and artistic intent originally provided by the project architect. Discussions with community members and senior staff of the DHT have been overwhelmingly positive highlighting its beauty and overall positive impact on the building's exterior esthetic.

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