Uni-Systems
Encyclopedia
Uni-Systems, LLC is a design, construction, and consultation engineering firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota
specializing in kinetic architecture
, or movable, mechanized structures designed to adapt to individual structures’ needs. The firm has become particularly recognized for its design and installation of retractable roof
systems on various sports stadiums across the United States
; Uni-Systems has been involved in the construction of five of the seven sports stadiums incorporating retractable roofs in North America
since 1999.
The company was founded in 1968 by Cyril Silberman, CEO, and began extensive work within the aerospace
industry including the design and installation of hangar doors, landing gear
elevator platforms, empennage
stands, and the firm’s patented Uni-Dock. Clients of Uni-Systems in the aerospace industry include American Airlines
, SkyVenture, Boeing
, Canadian Air, the United States Air Force
, and El Al
Israel Airlines.
(formerly Enron Field), when they were contracted to work on the stadium's retractable roof with the architectural company HOK Sport. Along with the retractable roof, Uni-Systems also designed and installed the Squeeze Play feature, and the custom ornamental train that runs along an outfield wall at the stadium. Minute Maid Park gave credence to Uni-Systems as a successful provider of retractable roof mechanization systems, and the firm has become involved in numerous projects.
Along with the design and installation of retractable roofs, Uni-Systems helps develop custom control systems for operating mechanized components. In the case of Reliant Stadium
, Uni-Systems worked with General Electric
to control the bi-parting stadium roof using the GE Fanuc Series 90-70 Programmable Logic Controller, which provides a simple user-interface to control the roof, as well as detailed diagnostic resources designed to identify any problems in the mechanization system. Uni-Systems is also able to connect remotely to clients' systems to help run operations, perform maintenance, or identify problems in extreme cases.
and Cowboys Stadium. It also designed the movable playing field at the University of Phoenix Stadium
and the retractable pitcher’s mound at RFK Stadium.
In addition to large scale projects, Uni-Systems has completed several smaller projects ranging from the Bengt Sjostrom Theatre
(Starlight Theatre) to a private residential observatory.
Project List
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
specializing in kinetic architecture
Kinetic Architecture
Kinetic architecture is a concept where buildings are designed so that significant portions can move while retaining structural integrity.A building's capability for motion can be used just to enhance it aesthetic qualities - but can also allow it to respond to environmental conditions and to...
, or movable, mechanized structures designed to adapt to individual structures’ needs. The firm has become particularly recognized for its design and installation of retractable roof
Retractable roof
A retractable roof is a kinetic architectural element used in many sports venues, in which a roof made of a suitable material can readily be mechanically deployed from some retracted or open position into a closed or extended position that completely covers the field of play and spectator areas...
systems on various sports stadiums across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
; Uni-Systems has been involved in the construction of five of the seven sports stadiums incorporating retractable roofs in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
since 1999.
The company was founded in 1968 by Cyril Silberman, CEO, and began extensive work within the aerospace
Aerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
industry including the design and installation of hangar doors, landing gear
Landing Gear
Landing Gear is Devin the Dude's fifth studio album. It was released on October 7, 2008. It was his first studio album since signing with the label Razor & Tie. It features a high-profile guest appearance from Snoop Dogg. As of October 30, 2008, the album has sold 18,906 copies.-Track...
elevator platforms, empennage
Empennage
The empennage , also known as the tail or tail assembly, of most aircraft gives stability to the aircraft, in a similar way to the feathers on an arrow...
stands, and the firm’s patented Uni-Dock. Clients of Uni-Systems in the aerospace industry include American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
, SkyVenture, Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
, Canadian Air, the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, and El Al
El Al
El Al Israel Airlines Ltd , trading as El Al , is the flag carrier of Israel. It operates scheduled domestic and international services and cargo flights to Europe, North America, Africa and the Far East from its main base in Ben Gurion International Airport...
Israel Airlines.
Retractable Roofs
Though it is not the only product Uni-Systems has delivered to clients, the company has become recognized as the "leader in retractable roofs." The firm's work with stadiums began with Minute Maid ParkMinute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States that opened in 2000 to house the Major League Baseball Houston Astros....
(formerly Enron Field), when they were contracted to work on the stadium's retractable roof with the architectural company HOK Sport. Along with the retractable roof, Uni-Systems also designed and installed the Squeeze Play feature, and the custom ornamental train that runs along an outfield wall at the stadium. Minute Maid Park gave credence to Uni-Systems as a successful provider of retractable roof mechanization systems, and the firm has become involved in numerous projects.
Along with the design and installation of retractable roofs, Uni-Systems helps develop custom control systems for operating mechanized components. In the case of Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Houston, Texas, USA. Reliant Stadium has a seating capacity of 71,500, a total square footage of with of natural grass playing surface....
, Uni-Systems worked with General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
to control the bi-parting stadium roof using the GE Fanuc Series 90-70 Programmable Logic Controller, which provides a simple user-interface to control the roof, as well as detailed diagnostic resources designed to identify any problems in the mechanization system. Uni-Systems is also able to connect remotely to clients' systems to help run operations, perform maintenance, or identify problems in extreme cases.
Projects
The company has also designed several other mechanized components in sports stadiums, such as the retractable end zone window-walls at Lucas Oil StadiumLucas Oil Stadium
Lucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The stadium celebrated its grand opening on August 24, 2008, and its ribbon-cutting ceremony August 16, 2008. It replaced the RCA Dome as the home field of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The stadium was built to...
and Cowboys Stadium. It also designed the movable playing field at the University of Phoenix Stadium
University of Phoenix Stadium
University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl...
and the retractable pitcher’s mound at RFK Stadium.
In addition to large scale projects, Uni-Systems has completed several smaller projects ranging from the Bengt Sjostrom Theatre
Bengt Sjostrom Theatre
The Bengt Sjostrom Theatre is an outdoor community theater located on the Rock Valley College campus in Rockford, Illinois....
(Starlight Theatre) to a private residential observatory.
Project List
- American AirlinesAmerican AirlinesAmerican Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
(Uni-Dock [2000 and 2003], landing gear elevator platform) - Bengt Sjostrom TheatreBengt Sjostrom TheatreThe Bengt Sjostrom Theatre is an outdoor community theater located on the Rock Valley College campus in Rockford, Illinois....
(retractable roof, 2003) - BoeingBoeingThe Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
(landing gear elevator platforms [1993], material lift[2006], paint gantry[1997]) - Canadian Air (empennageEmpennageThe empennage , also known as the tail or tail assembly, of most aircraft gives stability to the aircraft, in a similar way to the feathers on an arrow...
stands, 1995) - Cape Canaveral Air Force StationCape Canaveral Air Force StationCape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
(vertical lift door, 1991) - Citi Field (New Mets Home run apple, 2009)
- Cowboys Stadium (retractable roof, operable end zone window walls, to be completed summer 2009)
- El Al AirlinesEl AlEl Al Israel Airlines Ltd , trading as El Al , is the flag carrier of Israel. It operates scheduled domestic and international services and cargo flights to Europe, North America, Africa and the Far East from its main base in Ben Gurion International Airport...
(Uni-Dock, 1999) - Ellsworth Air Force BaseEllsworth Air Force BaseEllsworth Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Rapid City, South Dakota just north of Box Elder, South Dakota....
(aperture door, 1985) - Lucas Oil StadiumLucas Oil StadiumLucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The stadium celebrated its grand opening on August 24, 2008, and its ribbon-cutting ceremony August 16, 2008. It replaced the RCA Dome as the home field of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The stadium was built to...
(retractable roof, operable end zone window walls, to be completed August 2008) - Miller Park (operable outfield window walls, retrofit roof seals, 2001)
- Minute Maid ParkMinute Maid ParkMinute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States that opened in 2000 to house the Major League Baseball Houston Astros....
(retractable roof, ornamental train, Squeeze Play, 2000) - MPRMPR-In medicine:*Multi-planar reformatting, or multiplanar reconstruction, a term used in medical imaging to refer to the reconstruction of images in the coronal and sagittal planes in conjunction with the original axial dataset; see X-ray_computed_tomography#Multiplanar_reconstruction*Mannose...
(retractable in-studio seating, 2006) - Reliant StadiumReliant StadiumReliant Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Houston, Texas, USA. Reliant Stadium has a seating capacity of 71,500, a total square footage of with of natural grass playing surface....
(retractable roof, 2002) - RFK StadiumRobert F. Kennedy Memorial StadiumRobert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Washington, D.C., United States, and the current home of MLS's D.C. United....
(retractable pitcher’s mound, retrofit adjustable seating, 2005) - Skyventure Vertical wind tunnelVertical wind tunnelA vertical wind tunnel is a wind tunnel which moves air up in a vertical column. It is a recreational wind tunnel, frequently advertised as "indoor skydiving" or "bodyflight". It is also a popular training tool for skydivers....
(2005) - University of Phoenix StadiumUniversity of Phoenix StadiumUniversity of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl...
(retractable roof, moveable playing field, 2006) - Wall Street Ferry Terminal (1999)
Products
In addition to large projects, Uni-Systems has also launched an effort in the form of their Modular Mechanization Components (MMC) to bring pre-engineered components to any client – large corporations, small businesses, and even residences. These components can be tailored to fit the needs of a client with simple modifications to an already-existing design, allowing virtually any client to have kinetic architecture without a lengthy design process. The MMC line currently includes three products:- 10-inch drive
- 24-inch drive
- Torque Tube