Project. Directly on the shore in Newport Beach, there is now a new civic building which reflects architecturally the characteristic Californian lifestyle. Both visitors and its 86000 inhabitants alike are attracted by an exciting waterside life at Newport Beach, the largest recreational harbor on the West Coast. Yet even in this bustling, leafy city with a reputation for culture, public employees have been based in the technically inadequate City Hall for many years. In planning the new Civic Center, the city authorities at Newport Beach stipulated it had to echo the beauty of the surroundings according to the principle of sustainability. The project was put out to competitive tender and the eventual winner was Bohlin Cywinski Jackson from San Francisco.
Concept/Design. The impressive roof construction resembles a wave pouring out of the main building. A curved sail made from 775 sqm tough SEFAR® Architecture TENARA® Fabric 4T40HF conceals the two-storey council chamber like a seashell, bringing a gentle light from the nearby ocean into play. With 38 % light transmission, the technical fabric provides just the right amount of light-shadow intensity, as well as protection from sun and precipitation. In addition, the material is fire-resistant, dirt and water repellant, extremely durable, and free from possibly toxic plasticizers.
Construction. The flexible and robust SEFAR® Architecture TENARA® Fabric 4T40HF also impresses by offering a number of exciting possibilities for uncomplicated incorporation into an otherwise markedly sophisticated project. The new complex embodies a successful interplay of airy fabric and gleaming, zinc-clad facade: The first point of contact for residents and visitors to Newport Beach now resembles the glistening Pacific Ocean.
