Birdair Tips Off New Chapter at Hanover Park Community Center with Innovative Tensotherm™ Roofing System
Insulated translucent membrane to replace original Birdair PTFE fabric roof from 1975
Birdair, Inc., the world’s leading specialty contractor for custom tensile membrane structures for 70 years, has been awarded the contract to retrofit its original PTFE-coated fiberglass membrane roof at Hanover Park Community Center in Hanover Park, Illinois. The tensile roof, which has served the Hanover Park community since 1975, will be replaced with Birdair’s state-of-the-art Tensotherm™ insulated translucent membrane roofing system.
As the original installer of the PTFE roof over 50 years ago, Birdair brings unmatched expertise to this complex retrofit project. The Hanover Park Community Center holds a distinct place in tensile architecture history as one of the earliest large-scale PTFE fabric roofs installed in the United States, second only to the University of La Verne in longevity among Birdair’s completed structures.
After five decades of standing strong, enduring the tests of time and weather – including plenty of snow, ice and wind – the 75,000-square-foot roof will undergo a comprehensive modernization that enhances thermal performance while preserving the architectural integrity of the original design by The Shaver Partnership. The efficient parallel roof design features a series of custom fabricated steel box arches and is constructed with a total of 11 fabric panel assemblies to cover the entire area. The retrofit project is scheduled to be completed by fall 2026.
“The Hanover Park Community Center project represents a pivotal moment in the lifecycle of tensile architecture,” said Thomas Connell, Vice President, Birdair. “By retrofitting this historic structure with Birdair’s Tensotherm system, we are not just replacing a roof; we are significantly upgrading the building’s energy envelope. This project demonstrates how sustainable architectural solutions can revitalize existing structures, extending their lifespan while meeting modern energy efficiency standards.”
The installation of the Tensotherm system addresses critical performance requirements for contemporary facilities. Unlike traditional non-insulated fabric roofs, Birdair’s Tensotherm features a composite design that includes a nanogel aerogel insulation layer sandwiched between structural PTFE membrane layers. This configuration provides superior thermal resistance, drastically reducing heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. Consequently, the facility will benefit from improved climate control and reduced HVAC energy consumption.
The technical specification of Tensotherm delivers energy efficiencies without sacrificing natural light. The system maintains its translucency, allowing diffused daylight to illuminate the interior space, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. This combination of thermal insulation and natural light transmission creates a more sustainable and comfortable environment for community activities.
“We have been really pleased with the performance and the weather-resistant technology of the original Birdair PTFE roof here in the Chicagoland region,” said Steve Bessette, Executive Director, Hanover Park District. “With the new Birdair Tensotherm roofing system, we are looking forward to another 50-plus years of quality product to help insulate our facility. In addition, the translucent nature of Tensotherm is a big deal for our customers.”
The Hanover Park Community Center is divided into two main sections: a smaller area for basketball and performances, and a larger section dedicated to tennis and pickleball. As a centerpiece of community life in Hanover Park – just about an hour from Chicago – the community center is a beloved gathering space for recreation and events alike.
For more information on Birdair’s innovative roofing systems, canopies and skylights, visit Birdair.com and follow Birdair on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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About Birdair
Birdair, Inc., is the leading specialty design build contractor of custom tensile structures around the world. In addition to pre-construction services such as design assistance, budgeting, construction methodologies and project scheduling, Birdair provides design-build solutions in all aspects of project design, fabrication, installation and maintenance. The company offers a selection of architectural fabric membranes, including PTFE-coated fiberglass, TensoSky® ETFE film, PVC and Tensotherm™, an insulated tensioned membrane system. Birdair, based in Buffalo, NY, is a member of the Taiyo Kogyo Group, with operations serving North and South America and other international locations. For more information about Birdair, call 1-800-622-2246 or visit Birdair.com.
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