Sollertia often fields requests for hard-to-achieve projects. The Montreal-based textile architecture firm was tapped to fabricate the façade for an 80-foot tall nomadic pyramid that would house a new experiential arts and entertainment installation called PY1.

Guy Laliberté, co-founder of Cirque du Soleil and founder of Lune Rouge Entertainment, envisioned PY1 to blend lights, lasers, art, music and technology. The multi-sensory experience takes place within a pyramid and the structure plays a key role in the artistic installation.

Spectators are surrounded by lasers, 360-degree projections and kinetic video aerial scenery, and immersed in atmospheric special effects, spectacular lighting and high-quality soundscapes inside the pyramid. The pyramid structure had to support the creative vision, but it also had to meet intense construction specifications to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the spectators.

While Scène Éthique designed the steel structure, Sollertia worked on the membrane design of the nomadic modular event structure, and Sollertia needed a specialized fabric membrane. It was confident Serge Ferrari could meet the project’s demands.

“Guy Laliberté aims for highest quality for his projects,” said Nathalie Lortie, Sollertia’s Design and Innovation Director. “For us, it was no question who we would work with on this project.”

Sollertia worked with Serge Ferrari to select Flexlight® Advanced 1002 S2 and Soltis® Proof 502 for the project.

“It’s been proven with big top structures,” said Lortie. “It’s a really well-performing membrane.”

Supports the creative vision
The project’s magnitude challenged the stability and aesthetics of smooth surfaces, but Serge Ferrari Flexlight® Advanced 1002 S2 and Soltis® Proof 502 met the project’s need for a smooth, wrinkle-free finish and continuous outside skin for artistic projections onto the walls. The 1002 S2 is opaque to block out natural light, and Serge Ferrari created a special two-tone fabric to bring the artistic vision to life: a custom grey color for the exterior and black for the interior.

Strong, yet flexible
Strong fabrics – Flexlight® Advanced 1002 S2 and Soltis® Proof 502 – were needed to support the sheer size of the 80-foot pyramid. One face of the main pyramid represents 6,686 sq.ft. of membrane, and a project of this size creates a challenge when the membrane cannot fold or wrinkle when installed.

Dimensionally stable, even with multiple installations
PYI is nomadic in nature, requiring flexibility and durability. Its production, “Through the Echoes,” was first installed in Montreal, then it’s repeatedly assembled and disassembled as it moves to other cities. Serge Ferrari’s Precontraint® technology pre-stretches the fabric during the manufacturing process, leading to a dimensionally stable material. Despite repeated installations and dismantles, the compact lightweight membrane maintains its shape and withstands tearing for a better looking, longer lasting structure.

Resistant to weather
As an experiential venue, it mirrors the strength of a static building and must keep as many as 1,000 spectators at a time safe. The Flexlight® Advanced 1002 S2 and Soltis® Proof 502 play key roles in keeping the structure secure in wind speeds of up to 120 kilometers an hour (or 75 miles per hour).  It withstands fluctuations in weather extremes as the structure moves from chilly low temperatures in Montreal to hot days in Arlington, Texas. Plus, it is resistant to fading and damage from exposure to rain and sun.

Serge Ferrari customized Flexlight® Advanced 1002 S2 and Soltis® Proof 502 and delivered the specialized membranes to Sollerita within two months.

“He was impressed with this membrane coming from Europe and how we could fabricate it in Canada, said Lortie. “And it was easy and quick to install.”

Sollertia then installed the membrane on the portable pyramid with a 15,000-square-foot floor area for PY1. The result - a large wrinkle free, smooth continuous surface - more than met the client’s expectations. 

For the inside of the pyramid, Sollertia also took on the challenge to create top-notch retro-projection screens for the media immersion show. Again, no wrinkles and seams that seem to be invisible were required to create one big continuous surface. Sollertia selected Alphalia Silent Aw “Color Odessa” for the screens because of the acoustic properties, strength, dimensional stability, durability, robustness and resistance to abrasion and impact.

“They look absolutely fabulous,” said Michael Anderson, DTI Productions’ director of production for Lune Rouge Entertainment. “Your team’s dedication on every aspect of the screen manufacturing is truly appreciated. Thank you so much for helping us make PY1 look so amazing.”

Project specifications: 

• 4 panels for the 80-foot tall pyramid, each approximately 5,920 sq. ft.
• 1 panel for the corridor at 1,038 sq. ft.
• 4 panels for small pyramid, each 861 sq. ft.
• Flat façade
• Tensioned to create slanted walls without folds or wrinkles
• Resistant and flexible for repeat dismantling and reinstalling under harsh conditions 

Serge Ferrari composite membrane: 

• Products: Serge Ferrari Flexlight® Advanced 1002 S2 and Soltis® Proof 502  
• Membrane area: More than 2,500 m2 of Serge Ferrari Flexlight® Advanced 1002 S2 and Soltis® Proof 502
• Total area: 80-foot tall nomadic fabric structure with a floor area of 125 ft x 125 ft. Plus, a small entrance pyramid (2,388 sq. ft.), corridor (1,038 sq. ft.), skirts, rain flaps and protective curtains