Birdair, Inc. Adds PTFE Canopies to MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford, New Jersey Stadium Retrofitted with Tensile Structures
Published: March 01, 2012
Birdair, Inc., the leading specialty contractor of lightweight long-span roofing systems and tensile structures of all sizes throughout the world, has completed the tensile membrane canopies for the upper deck concourse area of MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
A world-renowned specialty roofing subcontractor, Birdair was awarded the design-build contract for two 9,000 square-foot custom tensile structures located on the North and South upper decks of the stadium. Each custom structure features a steel cable system and PTFE, a Teflon®-coated woven fiberglass membrane.
“In addition to providing design-build services for the tensile canopies, Birdair worked extensively with the project team for a solution to modify the existing steel structure to accept the additional loads, which the upper deck tensile canopies put on the building,” says Jeff Sellers, Director of Preconstruction Services. “The cable structure and fabric roofing system will provide MetLife Stadium an iconic and signature accent as well as provide shade and protection from the elements for the stadium’s patrons and vendors during sporting and entertainment events.”
The PTFE fiberglass membrane complies with MetLife Stadium’s agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to utilize environmentally friendly materials and practices in the construction and operation of the facility. The material is ENERGY STAR and Cool Roof Rating Council certified.
The fabric boasts a long lifecycle and requires minimal maintenance, due to its inherently high resistance to dirt and pollution. In addition, PTFE fiberglass provides the ability to uplight fabric and is immune to UV rays, waterproof, and flame resistant.
MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Football Giants and the New York Jets, is the only active venue to serve as the home stadium for two National Football League (NFL) teams. Opened in 2010, the 2.1 million square foot stadium was designed by architects Ewing Cole and 360 Architecture, and has the largest seating capacity in the NFL (82,500). The facility has been selected to host Super Bowl XLVIII in February 2014.
The project began in September 2011 and was completed in January 2012. In addition to Birdair, the project team consisted of owner New Meadowlands Stadium Company, East Rutherford, New Jersey, engineer Thornton Tomasetti, New York, New York and developer Hammes Company, Brookfield, WI.
To date, Birdair has completed work on over 85 sports facilities globally, incorporating tensile architecture into a variety of single-sport and multi-purpose stadiums and arenas. Birdair combines breakthrough technologies with unparalleled experience to create structures that meet both facility and patron requirements. Learn more at www.birdair.com.
Download PDF Version: 2012-03-01_MetLife_Completion.pdf
About Birdair: Birdair, Inc. is the leading specialty contractor of custom tensile structures throughout the world. In addition to pre-construction services such as design assistance, budgeting, construction methodologies and project scheduling, Birdair provides design-build solutions in all aspects of project design, engineering, installation and maintenance. The company offers a selection of architectural fabric membranes, including PTFE fiberglass, ETFE film, PVC and Tensotherm™. Birdair, based in Buffalo, NY, is a member of the Taiyo Kogyo Group, with operations serving North and South America and other international locations. For more information about Birdair, like us on Facebook, call 1-800-622-2246 or visit www.birdair.com.
