Company:
Dunn Lightweight Architecture

Project Details

Fabric 1

Lac 950 SLF
Producer/Manufacturer: Saint Clair Dickson
Primary Use: Main Fabric


Engineer Name 1
Dunn Lightweight Architecture

Engineer Company 1
Dunn Lightweight Architecture

Design Company
Dunn Lightweight Architecture

Architect Name
Horacio López

Architect Company
Dunn Lightweight Architecture

Subcontractor Company
Dunn Lightweight Architecture

Project Manager Name
Marco Chavira

Project Manager Company
Dunn Lightweight Architecture

Installation Company
Dunn Lightweight Architecture


Please describe the project specifications

Located within the “Parque de las Niñas y los Niños” playground in Zapopan, Jalisco, Foro Cometa is a prestigious project commissioned by the City Council. Zapopan, a thriving municipality in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, is part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. Known as the home of the Mariachi and for its vibrant culture, Zapopan is a hub of economic and social activity.

The project aimed to design and construct urban equipment that would provide an open, visually appealing, and functional space for local dance, theater, and musical events. The awning needed to integrate seamlessly with the rest of the park while being environmentally conscious. The name "Foro Cometa" was chosen by a vote of 600 children from the municipality, highlighting community engagement and support. The project area covers 1,746 square meters and includes a stage, dressing rooms, storage area, concrete stands with a capacity for 440 people, walkways, stairs, and access ramps for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the venue is equipped with state-of-the-art audio and lighting systems.

The cover design, crafted by Dunn's team, is divided into two sections, the stage area cover: fixed to a robust steel structure with elements embedded directly in concrete, ensuring durability and stability. The seating area cover: Supported by articulated masts and tension cables generating catenaries, providing greater fluidity and lightness to the cover, thus achieving both user protection and the desired visual appeal.

Key specifications include:
Membrane: The Saint Clair Dickson Lac 950 SLF membrane spans an area of 661.15 square meters, chosen for its durability and aesthetic quality.
Metal Structure: Weighing approximately 12 tons, the structure is made of high-quality steel tubes ranging from 6" to 18" in diameter and steel plates from 1/4" to 1" thick, ensuring strength and resilience.
Cables: 150 linear meters of 3/4” and 1/2” Barracuda galvanized steel cables were installed, along with tensioning accessories and fasteners for the catenaries, column tensioners, and valley cables, ensuring structural integrity and safety.

The project was meticulously designed, and executed to maximize resource and material efficiency, minimize waste, and reduce the use of machinery, tools, and consumables.


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