The fabric tensile structure covering the 1,500 seat amphitheater was inspired by its setting, located in Idaho’s premier winter and summer alpine resort. The sky and mountains are captured by the seasonal luminous tensile fabric roof covering the seating areas and the permanent copper clad tensile steel roof system covering the performance and support areas. Home of the Sun Valley Music Festival, the R.E. Holding Pavilion is located on the southern end of an open village meadow adjacent to the historic Sun Valley Lodge and nestled into existing contours on the site to form a natural amphitheater.

The permanent roof structure protecting the stage and ancillary functions is comprised of the steel proscenium and rear arches which converge and rest on two massive stone veneered concrete piers. A stainless steel cable net system spans from the proscenium arch to the rear arch and supports the wood and copper roof system. The steel cable net provides a visually dramatic structural component to the fully exposed roof structure. The tensile fabric roof covering the seating areas is connected, at the top, to the proscenium arch and is supported by the permanent roof structure covering the stage area. The Pavilions’ dramatic structure is anchored by a base of undulating stone walls which create operational space for the facility.

The Pavilion received the prestigious Tucker Design Award from the Building Stone Institute and the National Certificate of Recognition from the America Institute of Steel Design in 2010. The project also received the Award of Citation from the AIA Idaho Chapter in 2008 and the Award of Merit from the AIA Northwest & Pacific Region in 2009.