Sculptural Architecture - Skysong at ASU Campus

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Designed by FTL Design Engineering Studio, Skysong is a tensile fabric structure in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Skysong is Arizona State University's Innovation Center located in Scottsdale. Built over an area of 4654sqm, this mixed-use project consists of offices, reasearch, retail area, hotel, conference center and will also include multi-family residential units. The center invites business and research enterprises to co-locate with ASU’s technology units in a creative incubator. With the aim of creating a new urban icon for the ASU Scottsdale Campus that would also be used as a gathering place for the students and the faculty, FTL in collaboration with Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, designed this sculptural structure.

Based on the principles of tensile technology, this 125-foot structure anchors the central plaza and provides a shaded central courtyard with cafes, restaurants and social interaction. Teflon-coated fiberglass covers eight integrated conical-shaped structures, each of which is supported by a steel leg. The structure has been designed keeping in mind the fact that the fabric sails would be subject to about 650 pounds of force per square inch to handle wind and rain. Due to budgetary concessions, the steel column bases which were to be conical were made cylindrical. Another step towards cost-reduction was that the fittings and details till 6m height were made of stainless steel while for those above it were galvanised metal was used.

Given the intense heat in Scottsdale the choice of using PTFE fabric was critical. Though more expensive, with advances in technology, the material has been designed for a life of almost 30 years so long term saving outweighed concerns of cost. Also being LEED silver rated it reflects light and heat. The undulating structure is illuminated by white lights and colored LED fixtures that allow it to change color for a specific need or event.

According to the architects, “As you walk into it, it’s kind of a repetitive symmetry, and the space is always moving around you. In spite of its size, the interior space is surprisingly intimate,” SkySong is a global portal connecting the world through technology. It is a place where the architecture, lifestyle and amenities stimulate and encourage creativity and new ideas.

Text Compilation: Hina Nitesh

Photographs: courtesy the architects

Architects website : www.ftlstudio.com