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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.

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.


Whitten Oval Project - Interior View of roof
Whitten Oval Project - Interior View of roof

2024 LSAA Design Awards Entry Whitten Oval Project

IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 

3864

ENTRY CATEGORY (1-6)

3 Large Structures

ALTERNATE CATEGORY (1-6)

 

ENTRANT ROLE

Design / Engineer / Fabrication / Installation

PROJECT NAME:

Whitten Oval Indoor Training Facility

APPLICATION OF PROJECT:

Tensile Membrane Roof integrated into a solid-wall building.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Whitten Oval Project

Whitten Oval Indoor Training Facility is an example of modern architectural materials incorporated into a high-performance sporting facility. A fully enclosed 50m x 35m building with a tensile membrane roof, rarity in Australia, the facility sets new standards for design innovation and functionality.

HighComm Large Whitten

The multi-purpose indoor training facility, with its high-translucency PTFE fabric roof allows natural daylight into the indoor field, providing a lighting level much brighter than a traditional building with internal lights.

Interior day shot of the ETFE roof
Interior day shot of the ETFE roof

The Glen ETFE Entry Canopy Description

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.

Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC) - View of Mast and Cone from Below
Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC) - View of Mast and Cone from Below

 

LSAA 2007 Design Award Entry (Cat 3, 3002)

Entrant: Taiyo Membrane Corp (Later as MakMax in Australia)

Client: Major Projects Australia      Architect: Peddle Thorpe Architects
Structural Engineer: Xiang Du (TMC) & Connell Mott McDonald
Specialist Consultant(s): Connell Wagner (steel design)
Builder: John Holland Pty Ltd

Application and Function:

Designed to be suitable both during and after major events, the roof has been designed in two sections.
Section one is a permanent roof made from PTFE fabric.  This roof covers the pool as well as stadium seating for 3,000 spectators.  Section two extends the roof for “Commonwealth Games” mode.
Two temporary PVC roofs are erected either side of the permanent roof to cover a further 8,000 seats. The temporary structures create a festive effect with their high pitches and large sloping support columns.

Mooloolaba Bowls Club - New Fabric Roof
Mooloolaba Bowls Club - New Fabric Roof

 

LSAA Design Awards 2013 High Commendation (Large Structures, 4351)

Entrant: Light Weight Structures

  • Location: Mooloolaba
  • Client: Mooloolaba Bowls Club
  • Completion Date: November 2011

Judges Comments:

"An elegant project - the best of the bowling club offerings. As well as taking care of core business, the structure lends some design distinction to a town not oversupplied with architectural gems."

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.


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).

Internal view of the ribbed dome with ETFE Pillows
Internal view of the ribbed dome with ETFE Pillows

2024 LSAA Design Awards Entry Bank of Indonesia Millennial Function Hall

ID NUMBER  6725
ENTRY CATEGORY     6 - International Projects
ENTRANT ROLE          Designer / Installer
PROJECT NAME:        Bank of Indonesia Millennial Function Hall
APPLICATION:          Dome Canopy 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

The Bank of Indonesia Millennial Function Hall ETFE dome, with a diameter of about 53 meters and spanning 2,700 square meters, is a remarkable architectural feat. Constructed from 325 ETFE cushions, the dome is celebrated for its striking appearance and excellent light transmission, allowing natural light to beautifully illuminate the space below. 

Award Large Indonesia Bank