Congratulations to New Zealand for the terrific result in winning back the America Cup.

The boats truly represent a pinnacle in terms of Lightweight Structures:

  • superlight and stiff fabrics used for sails
  • elaboarte cutting patterns to achieve the desired three dimensional shapes in the sails
  • orientation of the fabric to resist stresses and maintain the profiles to generate maximum driving forces
  • like many fabric structures, the wind loadings are the dominant load case
  • very flexible supporting systems from high tech materials
  • minimal weights and reliance on moving ballast etc.

In 2013 the LSAA had their Conference in Auckland and we were fortunate to have a presentation about the 2013 NZ efforts.

Well done guys.

Congratulations for all the LSAA 2016 Design Awards Winners

Category 1 (Small Structures) Winners

High Commendation (1) Perth Children's Hospital - Fabritecture

High Commendation (2) 'I Dips Me Lid' - John Wardle Architects

Category 2 (Medium Structures) Winners

Award of Excellence (1) Hagley Oval Cricket Pavilion - Fabric Structure Systems

Award of Excellence (2) Jakarta ETFE Canopy - Fabritecture

Award of Excellence (3) Shop With Me Mobile Pop Up - Tensys Engineers Pty Ltd

Category 4 (Large Structures) Winners

High Commendation Pacific Fair Resort Roof - Fabritecture

Other Categories Winners

Award of Excellence (1) Jim Stynes Bridge - Aurecon

Award of Excellence (2) 50 Martin Place - Glass Roof - Taylor Thomson Whitting

LSAA Mission Statement:

"To lead, promote and develop excellence and innovation in lightweight structures by inspiring research and disseminating expert knowledge to expand the industry and opportunities for our members".

The Lightweight Structures Association is a Not for Profit, autonomous, inter-disciplinary group of interested parties involved in the field of lightweight structures. Operating primarily in Australia and New Zealand our basic aim is to promote the proper application of lightweight structures, their design, fabrication, construction and materials and to encourage the development of these and other aspects essential to lightweight structures.

Download a brochure about the LSAA, its activities and types of structures we deal with. Download a Member Application Form

Some initial discussions have already happened to hold the 2017 LSAA event probably at Melbourne University.

Following on the two day 2016 Conference and Design Awards, the 2017 event is likely to be an afternoon / evening affair.

The program envisaged is a number of case studies and a workshop (potentially dealing with tensioned fabric structures). More details will be posted in the latter part of July. There should be ample time for networking.

Likely date is September or October 2017

We are looking forward to continuing and building on our relationship with Universities.

Any Companies that are interested in a level of sponsorship could contact LSAA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 LSAA 2016 Conference and Design Awards - Sept 1-2 2016

"Design Beyond Boundaries - The Intersection of Architects and Engineers"

The web page dealing with the 2016 Conference is now under Events

Voted as one of the best LSAA Conferences due to an excellent and inspirational program which was greatly enhanced by working closely with Monash University Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (MADA).

"Save the Date for LSAA 2017 Workshop / Public Lecture / Exhibition - probably September 2017"

The LSAA 2016 Conference and Awards were proudly supported by our Platinum Sponsor Serge Ferrari, Gold Sponsors Mehler Texnologies and Gale Pacific and Silver Sponsors  Ronstan Tensile Architecture and Hiraoka

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   Mehler logo 150  Gale Pacific Logo v1   Ronstan TA 150px      hiraoka logo 144

Congratulations to all Entrants for our Design Awards and particularly to our 2016 Award winners: Fabritecture (3 Awards), Fabric Structure Systems, Tensys, John Wardle Architects, Aurecon and Taylor Thomson Whitting.

Peter Lim's outstanding long-term contribution to the LSAA, particularly in his contribution to the technical programs of many Conferences, was recognized in his Honorary Life Membership of LSAA. Well done and thank you Peter!

Welcome to our new members: Pattons, Create Ltd, Copelands & Pickers and Miami Stainless and welcome back ABC Products and Oasis Tension Structures  
Feedback about the Conference has been very positive with new members joining up as a result. The Workshop although fairly rushed was also received well with the various teams of mixed experience tackling five different conceptual projects. Here they are hard at work:

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The objectives of the Association are:

  • To establish itself as a reference body on lightweight structures;
  • To collect and disseminate information in the field of its members, encouraging the exchange of information between members and those interested, through publications and the organisation of meetings, seminars and conferences;
  • To promote the proper application of lightweight structures;
  • To contribute towards implementation of suitable guidelines for the design, analysis, fabrication, construction and application of lightweight structures;
  • To encourage research and development in the field;
  • To maintain links with international institutions and groups to update technology and information; 
  • To promote the services and products of the members; and
  • To provide educational resources to professionals and students of architecture and engineering.