Location: San Diego, CA

Client: The San Diego Symphony

Size: 10.2 Acres

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is a world-class, open-air concert venue developed by the San Diego Symphony in collaboration with Tucker Sadler Architects and a team of international design and acoustic experts. Located along San Diego’s Embarcadero, this iconic waterfront destination features a striking tensile shell structure, cutting-edge acoustics, flexible seating for up to 10,000 guests, and a 3.7-acre public park with panoramic views of the bay and skyline. Designed to host over 100 events annually, The Rady Shell combines cultural programming, architectural innovation, and public access in one of the city’s most scenic settings.

Lead Design & Architect of Record: Tucker Sadler Architects

General Contractor: Rudolph and Sletten

Performance Shell Design: Soundforms Design Partners, ES Global Ltd., Flanagan Lawrence

Performance Shell Fabrication: Fabritecture

Landscape: Burton Landscape Architecture Studio

Civil: Moffat & Nichol

Structural: Coffman Engineers

MEP: Robinson Engineering Inc.

Theater Consultant: Schuler Shook

Lighting Design: HLB

AV/IT/Acoustic Consultants: Charles M. Salter Associates

Sound Consultant: Shawn Murphy

Photography: Darren Bradley Photography; Gary Payne (Courtesy of the San Diego Symphony)

• 2023 American Architecture Awards Entertainment

• 2022 Grand Gold Nugget Award Best Special Use Project

• 2023 AIA San Diego Honor Award Design Excellence in Architecture

• 2022 ENR California Regional Projects | Best Sports / Entertainment Project

• 2022 CMAA San Diego Chapter Project Achievement Award | Public Works Greater than $25 Million