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For the LSAA, Large fabric structures have generally been thought of as those that have a fabric surface area greater than 1000 square metres. These structures may be described as single surfaces or panels in the form of one of the classic hypars, barrel vaults, cones, panels with single or crossing arches - or a combination.

Larger fabric structures can also be made from several modules or panels of similar forms to build up a substantial sized structure. The multiple panels might be arranged in a linear layout, or in a circular or oval pattern commonly found in stadia roofs.  The boundaries are defined structurally and geometrically by straight or curved elements such as arches, edge beams and cables. The prestress forces from adjacent panels often counterbalance and the more efficient structures have a larger degree of symmetry and continuity such as a complete "bicycle wheel" for the roof a major sports stadium. Stadiums are grouped in a separate menu item.

The following articles are in "most recent" order. As of May 2025 we have about 47 projects listed displayed 10 per page.


 

New Fabric Roof for the Souk Okaz Public Theatre
New Fabric Roof for the Souk Okaz Public Theatre - Close up details

LSAA Design Awards 2013 Award of Excellence (Cat 6, ID 4303)

Souk Okaz Public Theatre

Entrant: MakMax Australia

  • Location: Taif City, Kingdom of Audi Arabia
  • Client: Taif City
  • Completion Date: March 2013

Judges Comments:"Well integrated and designed perfectly for its place.""This looks to be very successful integration of lightweight elements with solid architecture. There's no sense that the roof has been conceived independently of the rest of the theatre. Lovely tent-like effect; very effective use of pattern on the 'fly sheet'."

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Decorative roof, culturally significant

The purpose of Souk Okaz Public Theatre was to deliver both a functional public space for cultural activities and evocative ambience reminiscent of the ancient pre-Islamic era of a bustling Bedouin market place.

Memorial Drive Tennis Centre Canopy (Credit Peter Barnes)
Memorial Drive Tennis Centre Canopy (Credit Peter Barnes)

LSAA 2022 Plaques 0008

APPLICATION OF PROJECT:      
Tennis stadium roof

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Memorial Drive Tennis Redevelopment Project was tasked with ensuring the future configuration of the Adelaide Tennis Centre complex met South Australia’s sporting and entertainment needs. Stage One of the project called for a redevelopment of all the court surfaces (over 30 new court surfaces in a mixture of Pluxicushion, grass and clay built to International Tennis Federation (ITF) standards), construction of a new sunken show court, player shelters and landscaping, and crowning the project, a 5800m2 lightweight tensile membrane roof to cover the existing centre court and spectator stands.

An example of close-knit collaboration between Tennis SA, COX Architecture, MakMax Australia and local Adelaide construction firm Kennett Builders, the completion of the Memorial Drive Redevelopment Project Stage One set the scene for an exciting summer of tennis in early 2020. The most eye-catching element of the project is the 5800m2PTFE membrane roof that protects patrons in the permanent and temporary movable seating areas, as well as covering the corporate function event areas installed around the centre court for major tournaments.


Interior view of the Radome Structures
Interior view of the Radome Structures

Entered in the LSAA 2007 Design Awards (Cat 3, 3003)

Entrant: Taiyo Membrane Corp

Client: Bureau of Meterology     Architect: Taiyo Membrane Corporation
Structural Engineer: Michael Lester (TMC)   Builder: OZRIG
Fabricator(s): Taiyo Membrane Corp

Application and Function:

Air supported structure over a radar antennae to monitor weather for the Bureau of Meterology. The structure is air supported in order to allow for minimal interference with the antennae.

Underside View of the Inverted Tensioned Fabric Cones at Mumbai Arrival Plaza
Underside View of the Inverted Tensioned Fabric Cones at Mumbai Arrival Plaza

 Twin Levels of Inverted Tensioned Fabric Cones is the Signature of the Mumbai Airport Arrivals Plaza

Entrant: MakMax Australia – Designer
Location: Mumbai International Airport – India
Client: Mumbai International Airport Limited
Architect: Designcell
Struct. Eng.: MakMax Australia
Others: Mahimtura Consultants
Builder: Mumbai International Airport Limited
Fabricator: MakMax Australia

This project was entered in the LSAA 2009 Design Awards, Category 3. (#3832)

No further details have been entered for this project

Inglis Selling Centre Fabric Roofs at Warwick Farm Racecourse
Inglis Selling Centre Fabric Roofs at Warwick Farm Racecourse

 

Commendation LSAA 2018 Design Awards Large Structures (Cat 4, 4433)

Application: Large canopies with a fabric surface area over 2800m2 to cover multiple areas at the Inglis Selling Centre Warwick Farm Racecourse

Inglis Selling Centre Fabric Roofs at Warwick Farm - Project Description

The project was the design, fabrication and installation of multiple decorative and functional canopies for the Inglis Selling Centre at Warwick Farm Racecourse. With an overall Chukoh FGT800 PTFE fabric area of approximately 3060m2, the project covered multiple areas and structure types - “Trees” to cover the horse parade ring; a shelter canopy for the patron walkway for the pre-parade ring; a canopy for the wedding pavilion, and awnings for the hotel.

Marrara Tennis Centre Fabric Roof - Aerial View
Marrara Tennis Centre Fabric Roof - Aerial View

 

This project was entered in the LSAA 2018 Design Awards (Cat 4 Large Fabric Structures, #4431)

Application: 2 roof canopies for tennis courts – one to cover the synthetic show court and stadium seating; and one to cover another synthetic multipurpose court.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The project involved design, fabrication and installation of 2 fabric roof structures at the Marrara Tennis Centre (now Darwin International Tennis Centre) – one weatherproof shelter to cover the Main Show Court and its associated seating; and another protective shade shelter over a multi-purpose court. The project had a total plan covered area of over 3,750m2 with Mehler FR1000N being used on the Main Court and Gale Commercial Heavy 430 on the Multipurpose Court.

The main show court is a long spanning roof, covering a 60m x 50m space. Given the cyclonic location, this presented additional design challenges throughout the project.

Conical Forms for the Spanish Pavilion - Internal View
Conical Forms for the Spanish Pavilion - Internal View

APPLICATION and DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT:

The creation of unique Exhibition Pavilion using these large conical forms.  The conical forms to provide both shade and reprieve from the sun but also provide cooling through a passive cooling air ventilation system (reminiscent of the wind towers of traditional Middle Eastern architecture).

Mehler Coated Technical Textiles supplied large quantities of coated fabric for the 2015 Milan Expo.

The major application was for sun shading the two main axes of the Expo. The 85,000 sqm of fabric was essentially planar rectangular panels attached to opposing valley and ridge cables.

One important concept behind the simple forms was the re-use of the fabric following the Expo.

Other projects included:

  • Iranian Pavillion (2,500 sqm)
  • Ferreo Pavillion (1,600 sqm)
  • Institution Bologna Pavillion (4,500 sqm)
  • Tent at the entrance (6,000 sqm)

For further details see HERE

East Cessnock Bowling Club - New Fabric Roof
East Cessnock Bowling Club - New Fabric Roof

This project was entered in the 2013 LSAA Design Awards (Large Structures, 4352)

Entrant: Light Weight Structures

  • Location: Neath Street Cessnock NSW
  • Client: East Cessnock Bowls Club
  • Completion Date: September 2012

East Cessnock Bowling Club - New Fabric Roof

The project covered one Bowling Green measuring 1820 sqmts. The project was designed to offer weather protection to bowlers, including night time use of the Bowling Green (in a residential setting) and minimal cleaning maintenance over the life of the structure.

  1. Queensland State Velodrome
  2. Platypus Remediation
  3. Large ETFE Structure - 2024DA - Link at Langley Atrium
  4. Mooloolaba Bowls Club
  5. The Cloud, Auckland
  6. Panoli Gate House, India
  7. QUT Sports Field Car Park Project (2018)
  8. Large Structures - 2024DA -Te Hiku Sports Hub Project
  9. Brisbane State Tennis Outdoor Show Courts
  10. Large Fabric Structure - Field of Dreams
  11. Playford Bowls Club Triple Green Roof Cover Project (2018)
  12. Large Fabric Structures - 2024DA - Hamilton Workingman’s Club Canopy
  13. The Glen Shopping Centre, Glen Waverley (Entry by Fabritecture)
  14. Large Fabric Structures - 2024DA - Whitten Oval Indoor Training Facility
  15. The Link Covered Walkway, Chadstone, VIC (2022 DA Entry by MakMax)
  16. Auckland Cablenet Zoo Aviaries Enclosures
  17. The Farm - Anish Kapoor
  18. Greenslopes Private Hospital Car Park Canopies
  19. Clarke Quay Redevelopment - Singapore
  20. Large Structures - 2024DA - Bank of Indonesia Millennial Function Hall
  21. Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre
  22. Brisbane Airport Walkway
  23. The Grand Pavilion RAS
  24. Chevron Renaissance
  25. Wellington Bowling Club Greens Cover Project (2018)
  26. Westlake Girls High School Sports Facility
  27. Pacific Fair Resort Roof
  28. Projects from 2018 Design Awards (Cat 4)
  29. Porto Chino Shopping Mall
  30. Ken Rosewall Arena, Stadium Roof, Sydney
  31. Sharjah Safari - Birds of Africa Aviary (DA 2022 Entry by Tensys)
  32. ITE College West, Singapore
  33. Macquarie University Campus Dining Room Project (2018)
  34. Marassi Beach Resort, Egypt
  35. Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC)
  36. ASU – Skysong
  37. Yogyakarta International Airport, Indonesia (2021 DA)
  38. Cabramatta Bowls Club