It never climbed up on stage to snag a trophy, but a dramatic circular tent was a winner for superstar Elton John’s annual AIDS Foundation fund-raiser the night of the Academy Awards.
The 100-foot-diameter clear-span, designed by L.A.’s Aztec Tents & Events (www.aztectent.com), was installed in an outdoor plaza at the landmark Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. The tent was centered over a fountain, with two smaller curved structures on opposite sides.
A central mid-beam frame supported the main structure, with fabric running through tracks of the beam. The main structure was directly above the fountain, which was covered with a wooden floor. Permanent redhead sleeves installed in the floor of the plaza anchor the tent.
Covering 8,000 square feet, the tent can accommodate up to 800 guests, depending on the function. At the Elton John party, some 500 guests enjoyed a seated dinner with the two side structures used for cocktails, production, backstage, coat check and gift-bag area.
“The Pacific Design Center is a highly regarded landmark in Los Angeles,” said Jim Sala, Aztec vice president. “We took all the extra steps to ensure that we created a high-quality, technologically advanced tent that complemented the innovative architecture of the building and is adaptable in use.”
According to Genevieve Morrill, the PDC’s vice president of marketing, other PDC clients have already reserved the tent for their events.
