San Diego Convention Center Unveils Striking Transformation with Sails Pavilion Roof

The iconic San Diego Convention Center skyline has undergone a significant transformation in 2017. The familiar sight of the Sails Pavilion roof, with its distinctive bright white peaks visible from the air, land, and bay, has been replaced with a state-of-the-art PTFE-coated fiberglass tensile membrane structure. This ambitious project by Birdair marked a new era for the convention center and enhances its status as one of the most recognizable venues worldwide.

The San Diego Convention Center's Sails Pavilion, boasting a remarkable 90,000 square feet of exhibit space, has been an integral part of the city's skyline for almost 30 years. Its iconic white sails served not only as a symbol of the convention center but also as a distinctive feature that set the venue apart on the global stage.

However, recognizing the need for modernization and innovation, the decision was made in 2017 to dismantle the familiar white peaks and replace them with a cutting-edge PTFE tensile membrane structure. This significant architectural change not only rejuvenated the convention center but also aligns it with contemporary design standards, ensuring its continued relevance in the ever-evolving events industry.

The roof, made of PTFE fiberglass membrane, brings a fresh and futuristic aesthetic to the San Diego Convention Center. This material is known for its durability, flexibility, and ability to allow natural light to filter through, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere within the exhibit space.

The PTFE tensile membrane structure not only enhances the visual appeal of the convention center but also offers practical advantages. Its lightweight nature minimizes the environmental impact and reduces the load on the building's structure, contributing to sustainability efforts. Additionally, the flexibility of the material allows for creative and dynamic architectural designs, ensuring the San Diego Convention Center remains a versatile and adaptable venue for various events.

The San Diego Convention Center has long been renowned as a premier venue for conferences, trade shows, and events of all scales. With the introduction of the PTFE tensile membrane structure, the convention center solidifies its standing on the global stage, further attracting events and exhibitions from around the world.

The visual impact of the updated skyline is expected to resonate with event organizers, exhibitors, and attendees alike, reinforcing San Diego's reputation as a forward-thinking and dynamic host city for conventions and gatherings.

The transformation of the San Diego Convention Center's Sails Pavilion roof marks a significant moment in the venue's history. The shift from the iconic white sails to the modern PTFE-coated fiberglass membrane structure not only enhances the visual appeal of the convention center but also positions it as a leader in contemporary tensile architecture. The city remains a global hub for innovation, bringing together people and ideas under the unveiled, striking silhouette of its convention center.

About Birdair

Birdair, Inc., is the leading specialty design build contractor of custom tensile structures around 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, fabrication, installation and maintenance. The company offers a selection of architectural fabric membranes, including PTFE fiberglass, TensoSky? ETFE film, PVC and Tensotherm?, an insulated tensioned membrane system. 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, call 1-800-622-2246 or visit Birdair.com.