For over 68 years, Birdair, Inc. has been at the forefront of custom tensile membrane structures, and its latest project at Brooklyn’s Domino Square Park is no exception. The world-renowned specialty contractor has introduced a striking seasonal tensile structure that enhances the park’s public plaza, seamlessly blending technical ingenuity with architectural beauty. This distinctive PVC mesh fabric installation marks a key milestone in the ongoing transformation of the historic Domino Sugar Refinery site.
At the heart of this installation is a state-of-the-art cable-net system supporting 122 white PVC-coated mesh panels. Designed to provide shade and comfort, the structure creates a welcoming retreat during the summer months, serving as a backdrop for movie screenings, performances, farmers markets, and cultural events. Come winter, the demountable panels will be removed, making way for Williamsburg’s first waterfront ice-skating rink.
Photo: Courtesy of Birdair, Inc.
Birdair’s scope of work encompassed the fabrication and installation of key structural components, including turquoise-blue steel support columns, a stainless-steel cable net system, PVC mesh fabric panels, and specialized clamping hardware. The unique cable-net design required fabricating five distinct geometric panel sizes, adding complexity to the installation process. One of the project’s challenges was ensuring accessibility to various elevations, requiring precise coordination to position equipment efficiently during construction.
“As a company with nearly 70 years of experience in tensile architecture, we’re proud to play a role in shaping the vibrant urban landscape of Domino Square Park,” said Tom Connell, Vice President of Birdair. “Knowing that visitors will enjoy concerts, performances, and community gatherings under the comfort and shade of our cable-net tensile structure is incredibly rewarding.”
Spanning nearly 10,000 square feet, the innovative structure is a product of collaboration between award-winning New York-based architecture studio Studio Cadena, the Lightweight Structures Group of Silman, a TYLin Company(formerly FTL Design and Engineering Studio), and Two Trees Management, the developer behind the broader revitalization of Williamsburg’s waterfront.
Photo: Courtesy of Birdair, Inc.
The Strength and Versatility of PVC-Coated Mesh
Crafted from high-performance polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-coated mesh, this fabric membrane integrates polyester, fiberglass, and reinforced materials to ensure durability and strength. The woven fabrication process enhances its tensile properties, allowing architects greater flexibility during design and ensuring seamless integration with Birdair’s tensile systems.
Beyond its strength, the PVC-coated mesh panels at Domino Square Park offer a range of benefits:
- Weather Resistance: Withstands extreme temperatures (-30°C to +70°C).
- Fire & Energy Code Compliance: Meets stringent safety standards.
- Partial Transparency: Allows natural daylight while maintaining shade.
- Lightweight & Flexible: Enhances both aesthetics and structural efficiency.
A Community-Centric Vision
Encircled by wooden amphitheater seating and lush gardens, Domino Square serves as a vibrant hub for Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. Birdair’s seasonal structure is a key feature within Two Trees Management’s larger 11-acre Domino Sugar redevelopment project, designed to reinvigorate the area with dynamic public spaces, retail, and residential developments—all anchored by the iconic Domino Sugar Refinery façade.
As a full-service design-build specialty contractor, Birdair provides a comprehensive suite of services, from design assistance and budgeting to engineering, fabrication, and installation. With a legacy of innovation in tensile architecture, Birdair continues to redefine the possibilities of lightweight, high-performance structures worldwide.
Photo: Courtesy of Birdair, Inc.
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 www.Birdair.com.
