Suspended above the historic USS Cairo, this elegant Birdair tensile fabric roof transforms conservation into architecture.
Designed by Choate + Hertlein Architects and engineering firm Severud Associates, this 35,000 square foot translucent tensile structure protects the U.S.S. Cairo Gunboat, whose restored remains can be viewed here at the Vicksburg National Military Park. Designed and built by the Birdair team in 2002, the non-combustible PTFE fabric roof features a series of 6 masts forming a cone shaped design, perimeter catenary cable edges that create a sculpted profile, and exterior tie-down cables supported by structural steel columns.