City Center Ice Rink

The Providence City Center ice rink project transformed a practical challenge into a civic landmark, demonstrating how tensile architecture can honor historic contexts while serving contemporary needs.

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The Challenge

The City of Providence sought a shade solution for their downtown ice rink to preserve ice during sunny winter days and provide comfort during warm seasons. Beyond functionality, they wanted an iconic structure that would foster community engagement and stimulate tourism.

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Engineering Innovation

The installation spans 18,000 square feet with 7,700 square feet of high-performance fabric surface. Suspending over two tons of cables, fabric, and steel pipe required resolving a quarter million pounds of force to the ground—forces that double under wind and snow loading.

The solution used intricate 3D geometries where compound curves follow precise force resolution, with each element installed in a special sequence to build up tension forces beyond those that could be applied directly.

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Community Impact

This project demonstrates tensile architecture's ability to transform public spaces. The installation preserves ice consistency while creating an inspiring architectural environment that encourages public gathering, serving as both practical infrastructure and civic art.

Working with HSI Construction and the City of Providence Parks Department, the project establishes a new paradigm for how tensile structures can enhance urban environments—creating spaces that serve immediate needs while becoming lasting symbols of community pride.

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