‘We’ve tried to get rid of all that stuffiness and come up with something more democratic, where the relationship between the inside and the outside is very easy and direct’. The photographs show above show the artful design layout of the fins integrating into the canopy framework.‘This building is not inaccessible, like the traditional opera house where you go through a grand portico,’ says project architect Spencer de Grey about Foster + Partners’ new Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House in Dallas. The high-craft aluminum canopy has aircraft-grade connections and is engineered and fabricated with the highest design standards. Foster's design creates a cooler microclimate around the building, and the canopy significantly reduces the energy requirements of the Winspear Opera House. The design intent was to eliminate most of the direct sunlight on the Winspear Opera House and surrounding park, while increasing the ambient light underneath the canopy.

The angles of the massive fins were determined by following the path of the sun. The Winspear Opera House canopy was designed as a solar shade by the architects at Foster. Zahner worked closely with the architect to develop a high-quality engineered surface that is easily installed and provides long-term performance. These two venues offer outdoor performances and projected shows. Zahner produced the canopy which covers the Winspear as well as the Strauss Square and Sammons Park. Zahner was also responsible for the Wyly Theatre, directly across the street from the Winspear Opera House. The Winspear Opera House is one of five venues comprising the new Dallas Center for the Performing Arts.

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