Ben Ainslie Racing HQ

The Ben Ainslie Racing HQ was conceived as a purpose-built facility to bring together the full spectrum of the team’s operations, from boat design and construction to training, sports science and public engagement. The building needed to reflect the cutting-edge nature of the America’s Cup, while meeting ambitious sustainability targets and delivering a flexible, high-performance working environment.

Base Structures was initially engaged to develop a semi-transparent fabric façade that could wrap the building, providing both solar control and a distinctive architectural identity inspired by the language of sailing. As the design evolved, the scope expanded to include a highly technical roof solution that would maximise daylight within the central atrium while managing glare and thermal performance.

We designed, manufactured and installed a fully integrated envelope combining tensile fabric cladding with a high-performance ETFE roof system.

Externally, Ferrari Soltis 86 mesh was used to create a semi-transparent façade, allowing visibility in and out while acting as an effective solar shading layer. The fabric wrap enhances the building’s dynamic form and provides a visual reference to sail technology, reinforcing the identity of the team within its waterfront setting.  

At roof level, we delivered a triple-layer ETFE cushion system to form the central atrium roof. This solution achieves high levels of light transmission, approximately 87%, while delivering improved thermal performance with a U-value of 1.96 W/m²K.  

To complement this, an internal retractable blind system was integrated, allowing precise control of solar gain and glare within the building. Together, these elements create a highly adaptable environment that supports both technical workspaces and public-facing areas.

The completed headquarters brings together all aspects of Ben Ainslie Racing under one roof, creating a collaborative environment for design, engineering and performance. Built to BREEAM Excellent standards, the facility stands as a showcase for sustainable design, advanced engineering and innovation within elite sport.

With its distinctive fabric façade and light-filled atrium, the building has become a prominent landmark on Portsmouth’s waterfront—reflecting both the technical ambition of the America’s Cup and the wider vision to inspire future generations through sailing and engineering.

The project demonstrates how tensile and lightweight systems can play a central role in high-performance architecture—delivering not just enclosure, but identity, efficiency and long-term value in a demanding, innovation-led environment.

Vital Statistics

• Supported by £6.5 million of government funding
• 6875 m2 footprint
• 2790 m2 Vertical Curved Fabric Cladding
• 625 m2 Fabric Roof Panels
• 500 m2 Fabric Keder Pockets
• 161 m2 ETFE Triple Layer ETFE cushion system
• 70 m2 Internal Fabric Retractable Blind