USC Tennis Stadium – Los Angeles, CA

Project Details

As part of the USC Marks Tennis Stadium Renovation Project in Los Angeles, California, a 357-foot-long free-standing tensioned fabric structure with vertical mesh screens was constructed to provide spectators with UV protection over the main grandstand area.

Working with the architect and USC staff, Tension Structures (a division of Eide Industries, Inc.) created a 3D software model of the proposed canopy to provide comprehensive shade studies throughout the tennis season. During design review, it was discovered that sunlight would penetrate between the stadium and the initial shade structure during afternoon hours. The tennis coach noted this would create a strobe-like lighting effect as balls passed through alternating zones of sun and shadow, potentially disadvantaging players.

To resolve this issue, Tension Structures designed, fabricated, and installed vertical mesh screens between the canopy columns. These screens complement the original architectural design, reinforce engineering requirements, and reduce sunlight by approximately 80% while maintaining partial visibility through the panels.

From the ground up, the overall tensile structure measures 43’-0” high x 14’-6” projection x 357’-6” long and is engineered for 115 MPH wind loads, Exposure “C.” The top cover, with a 10’-0” clearance height, is fabricated from non-combustible Sheerfill V PTFE-coated fiberglass fabric, providing approximately 4,783 square feet of horizontal shade coverage. Flame-retardant SGM-9 PTFE mesh screens are vertically attached to the columns, creating an additional shaded area of approximately 1,384 square feet.