Times Square Sky Canopy
Times Square Sky Canopy
Suzhou is one of the oldest settlements in the Yangtze basin, able to look back on 2500 years of exciting history. This city, criss-crossed by canals, is not far from Shanghai and is another of China’s thriving up-and-coming cities. The restructuring of Times Square in Suzhou Industrial Park has given the city a new business and retailing district, which in addition to offices has shops, riverside cafés and a shopping mall. The urban and, on the side facing the river, open structure of Times Square takes the fast pace of growth into account and helps to manage the increasing volume of traffic. For example, there are entrances to a shuttle service on the river and six underground stations plus space for more than 4000 cars in the underground car park.
But the real highlight of Times Square is its roof, the curving line of which integrates the low-rise business premises along the river into the urban ensemble. The roof designed by HOK Asia Pacific consists of aluminium elements stabilised by steel columns. seele covertex supplied a total of 292 two-ply ETFE membrane cushions, each measuring 4.2 x 8.4 m, for the roof, spanning over an area of 9500 m2.
But the real highlight of Times Square is its roof, the curving line of which integrates the low-rise business premises along the river into the urban ensemble. The roof designed by HOK Asia Pacific consists of aluminium elements stabilised by steel columns. seele covertex supplied a total of 292 two-ply ETFE membrane cushions, each measuring 4.2 x 8.4 m, for the roof, spanning over an area of 9500 m2.
The fabrication work, installation of the cushions and project management were also the responsibility of seele covertex. This lightweight, transparent roof covering protects the multimedia projection surface underneath from rain and snow. At 500 m long and 32 m wide, this is the largest LED projection screen in the world. In an interplay with the many bridges, paths, squares and businesses, the roof structure forms the framework for a unique shopping and leisure experience.
