GREENVILLE, SC (June 24th, 2021) – Big Span Structures, a leader in concept-to-completion solutions for signature lightweight tensile membrane structures, secured the design-build contract for an open-air tensile membrane roofing system over the atrium space at the new Greenville County Administration Building. The fabric roof will provide weather and shade protection for workers and visitors passing between the two five-story buildings.
Featuring a sawtooth design, the 7,500-square-foot polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) – coated fiberglass tensile membrane structure is part of the $66.8 million administration building redevelopment project. The entire $1 billion Greenville County Square venture will span more than 40 acres.
The 250,000-square-foot administration building will replace the county’s aging current headquarters. Big Span’s scope includes design, engineering, fabrication and installation of the supporting steel framing, PTFE membrane, clamping and hardware. Big Span is working with Foster + Partners and RocaPoint on the project, which is slated to be completed in late 2021 or early 2022.
“Big Span is proud to play a role in the revitalization of the Greenville County Administration Building,” said Dante Velasco, senior project manager, Big Span Structures. “Our eye-catching, open-air tensile membrane roofing system will provide essential shade from the warm southern climate for workers and visitors traveling through the atrium every day.”
A PTFE membrane consists of a woven fiberglass fabric coated with Teflon®, making it Class “A” 100% non-combustible (as certified by ASTM), extremely durable and weather resistant with self-cleaning properties far superior to those of most other structural materials. Extensive solar property testing revealed that PTFE fiberglass membranes can carry as much as 73% solar reflectivity, with just 7% exterior surface energy retention.
The principal element that differentiates PTFE fiberglass membrane from conventional glazing is its advantageous shading coefficient. As lighting levels increase, even cooler climates can realize overall energy savings using PTFE membrane. In very warm climates, even low lighting levels make PTFE fiberglass membrane an energy saver versus conventional systems. The savings can be dramatic when compared with conventional sloped glazing systems.
The redeveloped Greenville County Square will include high-end office, retail, hotel, residential and public spaces, including a grocery store, fitness center, movie theater and much more. The entire project is scheduled for completion in late 2022.
For more information on Big Span’s tensioned membrane structures, tensile facades, air-supported fabric-clad structures and fabric pre-fab frames, visit bigspans.com.
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