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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.


 

Wellington Bowling Club Greens Cover - Underside View of Roof
Wellington Bowling Club Greens Cover - Underside View of Roof

 Award of Excellence LSAA 2018 Design Awards Large Structures (Cat 4, 4101)

Application: Bowling green tensile membrane roof

Bowling green tensile membrane roof - Project Description

The overall project was specifically conceived and designed to provide a community meeting point to focus and reinvigorate the residents of a depressed suburb which had been in steady decline for more than 30 years. Many residents of this suburb are elderly and due to transportation access and costs seldom left their homes, hence social integration and community interaction was poor. The additional aim of the project was to have the elderly and young be involved in community based sports and activities to invigorate, inspire and bond fellow citizens.


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.

Greenslopes Private Hospital Car Park Canopies
Greenslopes Private Hospital Car Park Canopies

 

Entrant: Architectural Sails (Qld) Pty Ltd - Contractor
Location: Lot 108 Nicholson St - Greenslopes Qld 4120
Client: Ramsey Health Care
Architect: Phillips Smith Conwell Architects Pty Ltd
Struct. Eng.: Bligh Tanner & Wade Design Engineers
Others: Ozrig Pty Ltd (Installation)
Builder: John Holland Pty Ltd
Fabricator: Ruffles Engineering & Atkins Fabrication

This project was entered in the LSAA 2009 Design Awards, Category 3. (#3120)

No further details have been entered for this project

Cabramatta Lawn Bowls Club Sun Protection Roof - During Construction
Cabramatta Lawn Bowls Club Sun Protection Roof - During Construction

LSAA 2013 Design Award Entry (#4301): Cabramatta Bowls Club

Entrant: MakMax Australia

  • Category: 4 ID Number:  4301
  • Location: Fairfield Rd, Cabramatta NSW
  • Client: Paynter Dixon Constructions Pty Ltd
  • Completion Date: October 2011

APPLICATION OF PROJECT: Long span sporting arena roof.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Sun safety in sport is a growing concern across all sectors of our community. Providing a playing surface protected from harmful sun is vital to the continuity of some sports. The sport of lawn bowls in particular have realised this is especially true for their aging demographic and shrinking membership.


Brisbane State Tennis Outdoor Show Courts - Roof Detail
Brisbane State Tennis Outdoor Show Courts - Roof Detail

Entrant: UFS Australasia Pty Ltd - Designer / Fabricator
Location: 190 King Arthur Terrace - Tennyson Qld 4105
Client: Mirvac  Architect: Mirvac Design   Struct. Eng.: Wade Engineering
Specialist: Steel Structures Australia
Builder: Universal Fabric Structures / Ozrig
Fabricator: Skyspan Asia

This project was entered in the LSAA 2009 Design Awards, Category 3 (#37008)

Description 

The Queensland State Government approved and funded the development of a first class international tennis facility for Queensland to be located in the Brisbane CBD at Tennyson. The facility offers all tennis playing surfaces, a covered main court stadium and two covered outdoor championship size show courts. The State Tennis Centre was completed in time for the Adidas international in January 2009.

Inverted conical umbrella fabric structures for Panoli Gate House
Inverted conical umbrella fabric structures for Panoli Gate House

 

LSAA 2011 Design Award Entry (Category 4): Panoli Gate House - India

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

As a flagship development in the area Panoli needed a striking and unique entrance. MakMax’s Indian office was able to provide a prominent entrance structure to suit. The project, Panoli Gate House presented a new challenge for MakMax engineers. The large 1,300 sqm area required shade, weather protection, as well as a plan for collecting run off. Inspired by the design and functionality of the St Tropez products MakMax already produces as standard products, engineers decided to replicate this shape and function on a grand scale.


Macquarie University Campus Dining Room
Macquarie University Campus Dining Room

 

Application: Container-mounted architectural structures for university dining hall.

This project was entered in the LSAA 2018 Design Awards (Cat 4, 4001)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Macquarie University Campus Common project comprised of the design & construction of a series of 11 container-mounted architectural awnings to cover a new temporary dining area for students. The design involved 6 market structures, 1 larger 30m x 30m ‘main’ structure, and 4 awning structures. The main structure was required to have an internal environmental control system for temperature regulation inside.

The intention of the temporary solution meant that the design allows for the structures to be easily dismantled and relocated in 5 years.

Photo Credit: Michael Anderson, Paramount Studios

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

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre - Laminated Timber Arches, ETFE Pillows
Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre - Laminated Timber Arches, ETFE Pillows

Entered into the LSAA 2011 Awards (Cat 4, 4610)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION - Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre

Sheltered below an innovative woven timber canopy, new amenities for visitors to the Waitomo Caves includes tourist gathering areas, 250-seat dining, retail, seminar and exhibition areas as well as a café and theatre for Tourism Holdings Ltd (Fig.1). (Note: These Figures / drawings are not available)

The cave entrance is accessed from the car park on the upper path while a lower path returns the visitors back alongside the stream exit (Fig. 2). Between these paths the amenities were accommodated within a simple base structure that extended the contours of the land (Fig. 3). The form of the base is distinguished and separate from the curved geometry of the overhead canopy.


  1. Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC)
  2. Large ETFE Structure - 2024DA - Link at Langley Atrium
  3. The Cloud, Auckland
  4. Radome
  5. Spanish Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020 (4726)
  6. Westlake Girls High School Sports Facility
  7. Chevron Renaissance
  8. Large Structures - 2024DA -Te Hiku Sports Hub Project
  9. Auckland Cablenet Zoo Aviaries Enclosures
  10. The Glen Shopping Centre, Glen Waverley (Entry by Fabritecture)
  11. The Link Covered Walkway, Chadstone, VIC (2022 DA Entry by MakMax)
  12. Large Structures - 2024DA - Bank of Indonesia Millennial Function Hall
  13. Clarke Quay Redevelopment - Singapore
  14. Large Fabric Structure - Field of Dreams
  15. Yogyakarta International Airport, Indonesia (2021 DA)
  16. Porto Chino Shopping Mall
  17. Large Fabric Structures - 2024DA - Whitten Oval Indoor Training Facility
  18. The Grand Pavilion RAS
  19. Brisbane Airport Walkway
  20. Memorial Drive Tennis Centre Canopy (2021 DA)
  21. The Farm - Anish Kapoor
  22. QUT Sports Field Car Park Project (2018)
  23. Mooloolaba Bowls Club
  24. Queensland State Velodrome
  25. Sharjah Safari - Birds of Africa Aviary (DA 2022 Entry by Tensys)
  26. Ken Rosewall Arena, Stadium Roof, Sydney
  27. ITE College West, Singapore
  28. Large Fabric Structures - 2024DA - Hamilton Workingman’s Club Canopy
  29. Inglis Selling Centre Fabric Roofs at Warwick Farm Racecourse (2018)
  30. Fabric Structures at Expo 2015
  31. Pacific Fair Resort Roof
  32. ASU – Skysong
  33. Platypus Remediation
  34. Marassi Beach Resort, Egypt
  35. Souk Okaz Public Theatre
  36. Marrara Tennis Centre Fabric Roof Project (2018)
  37. Projects from 2018 Design Awards (Cat 4)
  38. Playford Bowls Club Triple Green Roof Cover Project (2018)