Commercial Architecture January 2018 - 30

exteriors

PROJECT

Left. The dome-specific LED lighting at the Titans' practice facility is bolstered by a skylight
to provide natural lighting.
Below. The Titans' new air structure was successfully completed with 90 ft. of space from
ground to ceiling, 20 ft. more than the previous
structure. This offers greater versatility and enables the team to suspend the goal posts and
other items from the ceiling.

Under The Dome With The Titans
Nashville team bets on a proven winner for its practice facility.

ir-structure domes are popular for a wide

in well under 10 years, degrading the entire dome struc-

lar finish. The new air structure was successfully complet-

range of athletic applications, from tennis to

ture in the process.

ed with 90 ft. of space from ground to ceiling. The

football. Any activity that benefits from a

With architectural fabric, looks matter for more than

additional 20 ft. of space offers greater versatility and

climate-controlled space can cost-effectively get a long,

just aesthetics. Accumulated grime and mold break down

enables goal posts to be suspended from the ceiling. The

flexible life from an air-structure dome. Its benefits tend

coatings and destroy fabrics. Self-cleaning products re-

cable system reduces the fabric loads in all directions, and

to inspire repeat business, such as when the Tennessee

duce or eliminate this persistent threat and look great

the full-bias net allows increased structural rigidity

Titans football team made the decision to replace and

while doing it. Most fabrics self-clean well when new, but

during severe weather events, preventing swaying and

upgrade their practice facility at Saint Thomas Sports

the ability can fade quickly with time. A product that is

possible collapse. Thermal value was increased from R-4

Park in Nashville. The original 70-ft.-high air structure

truly self-cleaning throughout its lifetime protects the

to R-8. The addition of an energy-efficient HVAC system

had been in place for more than 17 years and was exhibit-

structure, better retains color, keeps looking great, and

enables the team to maintain a temperature-controlled

ing signs of failure. The existing dome used a Tedlar 8029

makes maintenance easy.

environment that features automated controls to increase

fabric and, although the fabric was holding up well, the

A fabric with very high tensile strength was important

biaxial-cable system was vulnerable to storm conditions,

to accommodate the cable system and deliver lasting, re-

and the lighting and HVAC system were not up to par for

liable service. The strength of the coating is vital to lon-

a National Football League (NFL) facility.

gevity as well. The Titans organization wanted a coating

There were several key factors to consider when planning for the new dome. The Titans' management wanted
something that would last at least as long as the Tedlar
8028 used on the prior structure. In fact, the Tedlar had

with an excellent adhesive compound that actually bonds
to the fabric to further enhance strength.
Supporting U.S. manufacturers whenever possible
was also an important consideration.

outlived the original maker of the dome, which no longer

ASATI Air Structures, Rye Brook, NY, built the new

makes air structures. They wanted something with a long

air structure. They have a long history with the NFL,

warranty, but also a proven track record.

having built 13 previous domes. The fabric used for the

UV protection is vital to fabric longevity, so the fabric

new dome is the same as the prior dome: 8028 Opaque

needed to be able to handle the four seasons and the solar

White from Seaman Corp., Wooster, OH. The fabric in-

rays. UV light will break down coatings on many fabrics

cludes translucent white skylights and a bright-white Ted-

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

JANUARY 2018

commercialarchitecturemagazine.com

pressure during storm conditions. CA

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1801seaman.

Circle 4 on the Reader Service Card.
Peruse a fabric selection guide.
Get information on football air-structure domes.
Get information on air domes for tennis facilities.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture January 2018