Timber Roof Structure of Mitava Open-Air Concert Hall, Pasta Island, Jelgava, Latvia

The decision was made to use an oval structure to cover the circular amphitheater. The architectural design was inspired by a seashell, as the building is located on an island. Special acoustic screens, panels, and rounded elements for the beams were designed in collaboration with an acoustics engineer to provide optimal sound for high-level performances.

Structure

The structure is comprised of curved glulam beams with steel ties that are simply supported with an oval glulam ring beam. The curved glulam ring beam is further supported by steel columns. There is a pinned connection on either side of the building where the ring beams are connected to the support.

The total height of the structure is 47 ft, 7 in. The overall dimensions are 198 ft, 9 inches by 199 ft, 2 inches, with the longest curved glulam beam span almost 197 ft.

The structure is covered with tensile fabric designed and manufactured by Canobbio Textile Engineering.