The collaboration between Todd Dalland of FTL-Happold and the Cosanti Foundation began before the New York based architect arrived at Arcosanti. Site Coordinator Tomiaki Tamura sent drawings and specifications to New York and work began at Arcosanti on a model suitable for supporting the fabric structure Dalland, Paolo Soleri, Tamura and the foundation staff and students would be developing. By the time Dalland and his associate Amedeo Perlas arrived this model was ready to work with. From the rear of the model you can view the Amphitheater stage. Though the Colly Soleri Music Center has been in operation since 1982 with a temporary tent-like structure, the installation of the permanent roof will increase the capacity of the theater by about 200.

Todd Dalland and Amedeo Perlas arrived with everything necessary to construct the roof for the model. Supports stretching from the "finger panels" which surround the theater to the central columns went in first. Bruce Bender, Coordinator of Planning at Arcosanti Nadia Begin, Construction Manager David Tollas and Arcosanti Site Coordinator Tomiaki Tamura immediately began work on the model. The consultation with FTL-Happold was designed as a workshop as well as a design process, teaching tensile model making skills to staff and students at Arcosanti.

Here Arcosanti Construction Manager David Tollas, Otis Baron, and Coordinator of Planning Nadia Begin begin working with the nylon fabric that will represent the fabric roof on the model. Construction Manager David Tollas pointed out some of the features of preliminary design to Paolo Soleri. Throughout the collaborative design process, various options for the roof were tried out, often with several variations of detail able to be viewed simultaneously before rejecting some and deciding to use others.

The first two floors of the East Crescent Complex will have views of the interior of the Amphitheater while the third floor residents will look out over the fabric roof which according to Todd Dalland will "glow like a lantern." The opening was designed to allow room for the pistachio trees flanking the music center. In fall the trees turn flaming red.

Glass will be used between the columns behind the stage. This view looks under the roof to the stage of the Colly Soleri Music Center

The fabric is cut and sewn to conform to the circular openings in the facades of the buildings surrounding the Amphitheater. The doors of homes, businesses and studios housed in the East Crescent open into the Amphitheater allowing the people who live in the East Crescent to use the park-like public space even when there are no performances.

The wide concrete terraces or steps allow for flexible arrangements for all sizes of audiences when chairs are placed for performances. At other times, the gentle slope can be used by Arcosanti residents who just want to relax. The fabric roof is supported from two points on the "finger panels" surrounding the Amphitheater. A grid over the stage will support lighting systems for performances.