{"id":6591,"date":"2020-06-26T21:15:27","date_gmt":"2020-06-26T21:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/?p=6591"},"modified":"2025-09-05T15:15:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:15:33","slug":"changing-seasons-reflected-in-outdoor-amphitheaters-ellipses-shaped-canopy-clad-in-color-shifting-alucobond-plus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/changing-seasons-reflected-in-outdoor-amphitheaters-ellipses-shaped-canopy-clad-in-color-shifting-alucobond-plus\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing Seasons Reflected In Outdoor Amphitheater\u2019s Ellipses-Shaped Canopy Clad In Color-Shifting ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"Lauridsen<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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The new Lauridsen Amphitheater constructed at Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa,  stretches toward the sky just like the surrounding oak trees twist and stretch toward leafy canopies in this riverside woodland. Encompassing 1,500 acres, Water Works Park \u2013 which is situated next to the Raccoon River west of Gray\u2019s Lake \u2013 is one of America\u2019s largest urban parks and a critical source of clean drinking water to 500,000 Central Iowans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Highlights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u2022 Introduced in 2013 by the non-profit Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation in conjunction with the City of Des Moines, the plan is designed to grow the park and increase recreational and educational opportunities for visitors.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 The dual-sided amphitheater is designed to accommodate small-scale performances (audiences of less than 2,000) and medium- to large-scale performances (audiences of 2,000 to 25,000)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 The amphitheater\u2019s canopy is clad in a total of 2,125 square feet of 4mm ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS<\/a> aluminum composite material <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Project<\/strong>: Lauridsen Amphitheater

Location<\/strong>: Water Work Park, Des Moines, Iowa

ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS<\/strong>: Sakura and Reflect Mirror Finish

Architect<\/strong>: RDG Planning & Design

Fabricator<\/strong>: Metal Design Systems, Inc.

Installer<\/strong>: The Waldinger Corp.

General Contractor<\/strong>: Henkel Construction Co.

Photography<\/strong> \u00a9 Joe Crimmings<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The amphitheater serves as a focal point within a multi-phase master development plan for the park owned by Des Moines Water Works, a regional public utility. Introduced in 2013 by the non-profit Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation in conjunction with the City of Des Moines, the plan is designed to grow the park and increase recreational and educational opportunities for visitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Des Moines office of RDG Planning & Design<\/a> was hired by the foundation to provide an underpass connection to an adjacent park and enhance an underutilized flood-prone open space alongside a mature arboretum, according to Tyler Jessen, AIA, NCARB, RDG Planning & Design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\u201cI was charged to provide a flood-resilient dual-sided amphitheater structure that would primarily stand as a folly in the park for the everyday experience but then transform as an armature to hold equipment for musical performances,\u201d said Jessen. \u201cThe Water Works amphitheater provides a unique venue for patrons to participate in small to large events such as concerts while being completely surrounded by mature trees and open sky. Des Moines\u2019 extensive network of bike paths leads directly to this venue, allowing for alternative means to arrive at the venue.\u201d\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The dual-sided amphitheater is designed to accommodate small-scale performances (audiences of less than 2,000) and medium- to large-scale performances (audiences of 2,000 to 25,000). Small-scale performances face south toward a smaller lawn while medium-to large-scale performances face north toward a large field. To accommodate these varying crowds, the amphitheater stage is covered with an ellipses-shaped canopy that measures 65 feet wide by 45 feet long; it\u2019s supported by two intertwining tree limb-like steel legs that stand 31 feet tall on the north and 23 foot tall on the south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The amphitheater\u2019s canopy is clad in a total of 2, 125 square feet of 4mm ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS<\/a> aluminum composite material by 3A Composites USA<\/a>, including 2,055 square feet in Sakura from the Spectra Collection of color-shifting finishes and 70 square feet of Reflect Mirror from The Natural Collection Element Series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(As the original \u201caluminum composite material,\u201d ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS has been developed exclusively to allow architects and designers to meet the fire performance requirements of today\u2019s building standards while using ACM as the material of choice. Consisting of two sheets of smooth .020\u201d aluminum thermo-bonded to a solid, fire retardant core, ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS offers the proven product properties such as flatness, form-ability, durability and ease of fabrication. ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS is manufactured in a standard 4mm thickness.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOur directive was to provide a sculptural amphitheater that stood as an iconic feature within a newly designed park that would activate the community to engage in play or leisure walks along meandering paths,\u201d said Jessen. \u201cWe arrived at our design by following the organic moves made by the landscape team and, additionally, expressing a structure emblematic of the arboretum adjacent to the amphitheater. You will see the structure of the amphitheater twist and form a weave of pipes similar to the way a large oak tree\u2019s limbs grow to support a canopy of leaves in the summer.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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The amphitheater is designed not only to reflect the park\u2019s twisting oak trees in the canopy\u2019s legs but the changing seasons in its cladding, according to Jessen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cALUCOBOND PLUS with the Sakura color finish was considered for its color-shifting attributes,\u201d said Jessen. \u201cThe canopy of the amphitheater would reflect the colors of a tree canopy and how they change throughout the year \u2013 greenish hues during the peak summer season and shifting to yellows and reds as leaves tend to change in the fall. Cladding the canopy entirely with this finish allows you to metaphorically witness this natural occurrence throughout each day. As the sun rotates around the canopy and reflects different waves of light, the Sakura panels appear to shift color just like the change of seasons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS in the Reflect Mirror finish was installed as an accent on returns of larger Sakura panels utilized in the cladding design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe wanted to create an effect in which the mirrored finish would reflect lines from the adjacent panel or adjacent environment \u2013 such as trees and sky \u2013 creating an illusion that the panel was \u2018detached\u2019 or separated from the surface, suggesting depth under the canopy,\u201d said Jessen. \u201cThis effect was a subtle attempt to mimic a tree canopy without being literal.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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(ALUCOBOND PLUS Spectra colors are transitional finishes which celebrate the natural color shifts that occur in materials that affect everyday life; the subtle nuances and color contrasts found readily in nature, the glowing luster and sheen in modern metals and the color shifts found in today’s luxury goods. The Element Series finishes unify the effortless appearance of organic metals and finely textured patterns to create a vivid and memorable impression while retaining the luster of aluminum from afar.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fabrication and Installation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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RDG Planning & Design began work on Phase I of the park\u2019s master plan \u2013 including design of the Lauridsen Amphitheater \u2013 in spring 2016. Construction of the amphitheater began in summer 2018 and was completed in May 2019. Henkel Construction Co.<\/a>, of Des Moines, Iowa, served as general contractor for the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Metal Design Systems, Inc.<\/a> (MDSI), of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, fabricated a total of 410 ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS panels, including 350 panels in the Sakura finish and 60 panels in the Reflect Mirror finish. Panel fabrication was completed in approximately four months. MDSI also created a production model that was followed by all trades on the job so that \u201cstructural steel, standing seam roofing and all framing was coordinated effectively,\u201d according to Matt Rechkemmer, regional sales manager, MDSI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 The Waldinger Corp.<\/a>, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, installed the ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS panels with the MDSI Spline Reveal Drained and Back Ventilated Rainscreen System \u2013 Series 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe recommended ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS in Sakura because it had the desired color-shifting finish that worked well with the architect\u2019s color scheme,\u201d said Rechkemmer. \u201cThe Reflect Mirror finish was used as an accent color on the panel return legs in order to allow the Sakura panels to appear to \u2018float\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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RDG Planning & Design worked with MDSI to create a custom panel design to conceal concert rigging when not in use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe needed a unique approach to conceal rigging points used only for performances to hang light trusses and speakers; these are stainless steel shackles that hang down at 15 different locations under the canopy,\u201d said Jessen. \u201cWe worked with the panel fabricator to develop a hatch door with a full mortise invisible hinge and a suspension rod closer. The hatch was clad with the ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS panels to blend in with adjacent panels.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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The Lauridsen Amphitheater hosted its first concert with country artist Clint Black performing on June 22, 2019. The final phase of the master plan will wrap construction during summer 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cSo far, the amphitheater has received great praise for its ability to offer versatility in use,\u201d said Jessen. \u201cIt\u2019s a dual-sided amphitheater; and, last year, events occurred for 5,000 patrons down to 50 patrons, utilizing either the great lawn on the large venue side or the celebration lawn or the small venue side to accommodate the planned community event.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The new Lauridsen Amphitheater constructed at Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa,  stretches toward the sky just like the surrounding oak trees twist and stretch toward leafy canopies in this riverside woodland. Encompassing 1,500 acres, Water Works Park \u2013 which is situated next to the Raccoon River west of Gray\u2019s Lake \u2013 is one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[102,450,490,84],"class_list":["post-6591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-case-studies","tag-cladding","tag-color-shifting","tag-sakura","tag-spectra"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6591"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6591\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8729,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6591\/revisions\/8729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}