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 random order:
Entered into the 2009 LSAA Design Awards, Category 4 (4022)
Entrant: Structurflex Ltd - Engineering Fabrication Installation
Location: Kaipara Harbour
Client: Keystone Trust
Architect: Noel Lane Architects
Struct. Eng.: Structure Design & Compusoft Engineering
Builder: Grayson Engineering
Fabricator: Structurflex
No further details have been entered for this project at this stage..
Entered into the LSAA Design Awards 2007 (Large Structures, 3195)
Entrant: Oasis Tension Structures
Client: Multiplex Constructions (Vic) Pty Ltd
Architect: Darryl Jackson Pty Ltd
Structural Engineer: Tensys
Specialist Consultant(s): Drafting Steel One
Builder: Oasis Tension Structures (Australia) Pty Ltd
Fabricator(s): Atkins Fabrications Pty Ltd Structurflex NZ,
Geelong Fabrications, Ronstan
Aside from the images below, no other details have been entered for this project.
LSAA Design Awards 2013 High Commendation
Entrant:Structurflex Limited
Category: 4 ID Number: 4101
Location: Auckland, NZ
Client: Westlake Girls High School
Completion Date: May 2012
Judges Comments:
"Well executed variant of a "Standard" structure for sports."
"A tough site by the side of a motorway. Fine integration of structure and membrane to make the most of the potential of lightweight materials. A generous span provides uncluttered space; a sense of levity throughout."
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).
Entered into the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Cat 4, Large Fabric Structures #4114)
Entrant: Fabritecture (Designer and Installer)
Location: The Esplanade. Completed: 2016
Client: Scentre Group (Westfield)
Team: Scentre Group (Westfield), Wade Design, Textile Fabrication Services, Fabritecture
Application
Statement architectural fabric structure with complex steel geometry and state-of-the-art LED lighting system as part of a $670 million redevelopment of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast.
APPLICATION OF PROJECT:
The Link Chadstone is a covered walkway between Chadstone shopping Centre and Hotel Chadstone Melbourne.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Link walkway in Chadstone is a visually stunning fabric-over-glulam structure that provides easy covered access for patrons between the Chadstone Shopping Centre and Hotel Chadstone Melbourne.
Commissioned by leading Australian real estate investment trust Vicinity Centres, and completed in October 2019, The Link is a 100m arched walkway that soars up to 15m above the pedestrian zone and is covered with 1750m2 of high-translucency THV-coated PTFE fabric.
Designed to blur the lines between the retail, commercial and leisure zones of Chadstone’s high-end fashion shopping precinct with the newly opened Hotel Chadstone Melbourne, MGallery by Sofitel, The Link transforms part of a multi-level car park into a luxurious, cathedral-like promenade for shoppers and hotel guests.
DESIGN / FABRICATION / INSTALLATION BRIEF
The designing architect’s vision of The Link was to complement Chadstone Shopping Centre’s existing vaulted glass roof with an iconic light and airy structure created with glulam timber arches, covered with a semi-translucent tensile fabric membrane.
As the membrane contractors, the design and engineering challenge we faced on The Link was to deliver a premium tensile membrane finish to complement the projects’ luxury look and feel. With the aim to link the new 5-star Hotel Chadstone to the Chadstone Shopping Precinct – the membrane finish had to embrace the high-end, luxurious aesthetic of the project.
This project was entered in the LSAA 2018 Design Awards (Cat 4 Large Fabric Structures, #4432) by MakMax
Application: Cover over 3 adjacent bowling greens at the Playford City Bowls club, South Australia.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The design, fabrication and installation of the largest tensile membrane canopy structure over a bowling green in the Southern Hemisphere. The 5300m2 PVC (Mehler FR900N) structure covers a total of 21 rinks (120m length), lit with state of the art LED sports lighting, allowing year round utilization of the bowling green’s irrespective of the weather conditions. In addition to bowls, the venue is also used to host corporate and social events.
Entry in the LSAA 2007 Design Awards (Cat 4, 4007) "Large Fabric Structures"
Entrant: Tensys
Location: Clarke Quay Redevelopment - Singapore Client: Capital and Commercial Ltd
Architect: SMC Alsops & RSP Architects Structural Engineer: Tensys
Specialist Consultant(s): Arup (Environmental) Builder: Kajima Overseas Asia Pte Ltd
Fabricator(s): Skyspan (Asia) Pvt Ltd – Riverside/Bluebell
canopies HIghtex GmbH – Street/Angel Canopies
Application and Function:
More than $50 million was spent upgrading the outdoor precinct to increase the shade and add to the comfort of visitors.
The Angel Structures are made from high performance thermoplastic film (ETFE). It is the first time this material has been used on such a large scale in Asia.
Around the river’s edge, striking bluebell canopies over lilypads revitalize the area, helping to create a new trend in outdoor dining and entertainment.
LSAA 2011 Design Award Entry (4210)
APPLICATION OF PROJECT:
Canopy shade structure: The architectural PTFE membrane canopy provides weather protection for an outdoor events plaza and exterior walkway.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A truly stunning piece of fabric architecture was created with this stunning lightweight membrane roof at ITE College (West) in Singapore. Supported only by a complex cable system and large steel wall plates bolted to 4 different buildings, the 3000m2 PTFE Canopy provides shelter to the Events Plaza and exterior walkways below spanning an incredible 75m span in one direction and 45m in the other.
APPLICATION OF PROJECT:
This project was one spearheaded by HRH Dr Sheik Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi (Ruler of Shajah) and was kept under wraps for the past 4 years. The Birds of Africa Aviary forms the centre piece of the Safari and highlights the flamingo habitat.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
A bird aviary comprising 10,000 sqm of stainless steel woven cable mesh together with shading panels.
DESIGN / FABRICATION / INSTALLATION BRIEF
The function requirement was to create a stainless steel mesh bird aviary to both keep the birds in, as well as keep out unwanted pests. Due to the hot summer months in the Middle East an additional shading element was required. This has both a functional brief as well as providing both texture and difference in translucency to the aviary structure
STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
A tensile anticlastic form created with structural steel and cable system. The tension element is in the form of stainless steel cables and mesh together with PVC/PES shading elements.
MATERIALS
Structural architectural steel
Stainless woven cable mesh
PVC/PES fabric
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
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.
The Glen ETFE entry canopy was designed to cover the outdoor food court area as part of the shopping centre’s AUD$490 million redevelopment in East Melbourne.
Fabritecture completed the design & construction of a steel and single-skin ETFE clad canopy to provide protection for patrons from the wind & rain in the outdoor dining precinct. The client also desired an aesthetic feature roof with custom artwork printed into the ETFE that would be synonymous with the culture of the surrounding area and that would enhance the overall look and feel of the Centre.
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