2017 Archive : Community Crab Amphitheater

Project Details

Fabric 1

WeatherMax 80
Producer: Keyston Bros.
Supplier: Keyston Bros.

Fabric 2

Vinyl
Producer:

Fabric 3

Coolaroo
Producer: Trivantage LLC

Design Name
Don Cangrejario "Mr. Crab"

Architect Name
Luis Gutierrez

Architect Company
Pie De Amigo

Subcontractor Name
Sand Sea and Air Interiors Inc.

Subcontractor Company
Sand Sea and Air Interiors Inc.

Project Manager Name
Romeo Tecu Tecu

Project Manager Company
Romeo Tecu Tecu

Please describe the project specifications

A vast crab-shaped open-air amphitheater with recycled fabric roofing and decoration as part of a commissioned project for a Center of Fine Arts, and in collaboration with a local artist organization.

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

This project was born in our studio as a shared workspace with local artists. When they came to us with the need to sew their creation, we readily decided to contribute to their effort by providing our Sunbrella, Weathermax and Cooler exterior fabric ‘left-overs.
In previous open-air theaters their group had built utilized recycled resources. However, the materials they had used were not fit for changes in weather and the harsh conditions of a tropical climate. This was their main concern planning their new concept.

What is unique or complex about the project?

For this project, we gathered small pieces and scraps of our water-resistant fabrics from our inventory. After taking custom measurements for the unique shape of the stage, we constructed the cupola roofing for the body of the crab from these materials. The outside fabric decoration was elaborated from recycled clothes in blue to complement the roof as well as the aesthetics characteristic of our collaborators. We were responsible for a successful installation.

What were the results of the project?

Our creative roofing job kept sound equipment and actors safe from rain and wind, and upheld our collaborators’ visual concept. The amphitheater was commissioned to be used from July to December, and it performed perfectly during the whole run of its season.
After the crab was uninstalled, our collaborators kept our project for their future performances. A dynamic, multi-purpose solution is at the core of this project, and its purpose is exacted in recycled material being repurposed with many lives.

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