Small Fabric Structures: Typically these may be of a plan area of 250 square metres or less. They are often used as shade structures or as signature items at entrances to larger buildings.
Other applications include the provision for a shaded area in playgrounds, school yards, car dealerships and as internal sculptures.
They may be made from coated fabric or membranes as a water-proof barrier or of open fabric such as knitted shade cloth.
The following articles are in random order:
South Hedland Town Centre
LSAA 2013 Design Awards High Commendation
Judges Comments:
"A lot of effort for a small structure, should become iconic."
"Good to see a combination of timber frame and lightweight fabric, although the structure seems less than graceful."
APPLICATION OF PROJECT:
Fabric cladding to wooden frame, roofing structure.
Read more: South Hedland Town Centre - LSAA High Commendation
Northern Busways Park & Ride Terminals
Entrant: Structurflex Ltd
Client: North Shore Council
Architect: Opus
Structural Engineer: Compusoft Engineering Auckland
Builder: Works Infrastructure
Fabricator(s): Structurflex Ltd
Project: Yatala Tank Cover
Entrant: MakMax Australia - Designer
Location: Fosters Australia - Cuthbert Road Yatala QLD 4207
Client: Foster's Australia
Struct. Eng.: MakMax Australia
Others: MakMax (Installation)
Builder: MakMax Australia
Fabricator: MakMax Australia
Details have not been entered for this project.
APPLICATION OF PROJECT:
The project was to supply and install a unique waterproof shade cloth structure over the old two lane Mandurah Bridge built in 1952 .
The old bridge was recently decommissioned to vehicles and replaced by a modern 4 lane bridge to cater to growing population and traffic needs of Mandura and the Peel region of WA. The old bridge with it timber and concrete undercarriage was to be partially retained and converted into an attraction.
Melbourne Girls Grammar School Cover to Communal Deck
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Inverted conic covering a communal deck for year 5 & 6 girls at Melbourne Girls Grammar
The structural form is an asymmetric inverted conic, with what is basically a rectangular upper perimeter. In plan the area covered is small, about 12.5m by 11m, and the height varies from 3m at the bale ring to 5.5m at the lower edge to 9m at the highest edge
The conical form is asymmetrical about all axes. The bale ring has been set close to one corner so that the inverted conical shape is accentuated by being well away from the adjoining buildings to which it is attached, and so that the stormwater drainage through the bale ring has minimal interference with use of the deck on wet days.
Read more: Melbourne Girls Grammar School Cover to Communal Deck
APPLICATION OF PROJECT:
To Provide weather protection for patrons of the golf club with a lightweight, nautical architectural feel but engineered strong enough to handle the extreme coastal weather conditions.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
RGC - The site is a Golf club that has been looking for ways to increase revenue for more financial security. The club was looking for help to modernise the look of the club to increase patron numbers and hire capabilities. They were looking for a creative and unique design to draw patrons to the outside dining area of the venue that had amazing views. They also wanted a structure that would not get damaged by flying golf balls and draw the eye out to the view. A tension membrane structure was the perfect solution for this application.
Shade And Membrane Structures Australia (Design / Project Management / Install)
Completed: December 5 2013
Client: Bennelong Funds Management
Team: Global Membrane Design, SAMA, Shadecom / Fabric Solutions
Details have not been entered. Some images can be seen below:
Melbourne International Arts Festival - The Clubhouse
Entrant: Tensys
Client: Melbourne International Arts Festival
Architect: Wood Marsh Architecture
Structural Engineer: Tensys
Specialist Consultant(s): Tensys
Builder: Melbourne International Arts Festival
Fabricator(s): Atkins Fabrications Pty Ltd,
Thornton Engineering Australia Pty Ltd - steelwork
Aussie World Entrance Canopy
Entrant: Light Weight Structures Advisory Service - Engineering Fabrication Installation
Location: Bruce Highway - Palmview
Client: Aussie World Theme Park
Struct. Eng.: Trevor Scott & Jeremy Hunter
Specialist: LTWSAS
Builder: Aussie World Project Management
Fabricator: Made 4 Shade (Maroochydore)
No further details have been entered
Australian Wildlife Centre Healseville Sanctuary
Entrant: Taiyo Membrane Corp, Tattersall Engineering, Minifie Nixon Arch
Client: Zoos Victoria
Architect: Minifie Nixon
Structural Engineer: Tattersall Engineering
Specialist Consultant(s): Wade Consultants, Taiyo Membrane Corporation
Builder: Behmer and Wright
Fabricator(s): Taiyo Membrane Corp
No further details have been entered.
Commendation LSAA 2018 Design Awards
APPLICATION OF PROJECT:
Al-fresco canopies over street area for hospitality and retail for the Pacific Bondi mixed use development, directly facing Bondi Beach.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
An architecturally styled pair of al-fresco canopy covers for the hospitality area of the Pacific directly facing Bondi Beach, designed to reflect the beach front environment with a form chosen to evocate waves and the ocean. The structures were envisioned to generate a different look from traditional al-fresco umbrellas, awnings and canopies to compliment the seaside position and included infrared heaters and white LED up-lighting to add warmth and atmosphere for night time use.
APPLICATION OF PROJECT:
To provide a retractable shade structure to an existing exposed school quadrangle courtyard in St Kilda, Victoria, that offered flexibility to a highly utilized space. Without detracting from the existing heritage school built in 1873 and working with a 1970’s addition, the project needed to remain respectful of the surrounds whilst providing a vibrant new design proposition and considered functionality. The brief was to provide shade and weather protection to a large external quadrangle, central to major school operations, assemblies, concerts, play area and general shelter.
The following Small Structure Projects were entered into the 2018 LSAA Design Awards in Category 1
1160 Mandura Fishing Pier Shade Structure.
Jirrawun Arts Centre
Entrant: UFS Australasia Pty Ltd
Client: Jirrawun Arts Pty ltd
Architect: Bruce Henderson Architects
Structural Engineer: Craft Projects
Specialist Consultant(s): UFS
Fabricator(s): Fabric Shelter Systems, DMG Engineering
No further details have been entered.
Tensys Engineers Pty Ltd (Engineer)
Location: Chicago / New York / Dallas / Las Vegas / San Jose. Completed: 2014
Client: with me. com
Details have not been entered. Images can be viewed below:
Covered Walkway for a Shopping Mall
Nowadays, more and more commercial centers are launched. Among those, consumers always pay attention and choose the eye-catching, sophisticated design as a destination for shopping. Because of that reason, the architects study a unique design to attract pedestrians and Membrane structures is their choice.
Mpowerdome Entry Structure
Entrant: UFS Australasia Pty Ltd
Client: Mpowerdome
Architect: Small Quinton Coleman Architects
Structural Engineer: Wade Consulting Group
Builder: UFS
Fabricator(s): Fabric Shelter Systems
No further details have been entered.
Trailfinders Australian Garden - Chelsea Flower Show
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
MakMax’s client, Flemings Nurseries exhibits annually at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show, one of the world most prestigious social and horticultural events. Fleming’s often win awards for their unique exhibition stands. MakMax was engaged to bring an architect’s design to life in the form of a unique temporary structure for Fleming’s entry at the 2011 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
SEMF Pty Ltd (Architect / Engineer)
Location: Ringwood, Victoria. Completed: 31 July 2016
Client: Aquinas College
Team: SEMF, SEMF, Walsh Industries (Steel), Horizon Sailmakers (Membrane & cables)
Details have not been entered but some images can be viewed below.
John Power Stand - Eagle Farm, Brisbane
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Eagle Farm Racecourse is an iconic Brisbane building, hosting race days twice weekly and accommodating hoards of racegoers every year. The main stand named John Power Stand was erected in the early 1900s. Since then the structure has aged leaving an unsightly concrete ceiling viewable from the main observation area.
Nerang State School Outdoor Amphitheatre, Qld
APPLICATION OF PROJECT:
Playground Shade Structure: the amphitheatre provides a modern sheltered assembly area for students and teachers, and boasts a unique architectural focal point within the school.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
As part of the Queensland Government National School Pride Program, a project was created for the design and construction of twin architectural roof canopies to cover the Nerang State School outdoor amphitheatre.
Orion Springfield
Entrant: Architectural Sails
Client The Mirvac Group
Architect: Rice Daubney
Structural Engineer: Wade Consulting Group
Builder: Mirvac Constructions (Qld) P/L
Fabricator(s): Architectural Sails
No further details have been entered.
Flemington Racecourse
Entrant: Taiyo Membrane Corp
Client: Victoria Racing Club
Architect: Taiyo Membrane Corporation
Structural Engineer: Xiang Du (TMC)
Fabricator(s): Taiyo Membrane Corp
No further details have been entered.
Award of Excellence, LSAA 2018 Design Awards Cat 1 Small Structures
Application of Project
Retail Development Travelator Canopy
Project Description
As part of Ryde Shopping Centre upgrade with a new major first floor supermarket tenant, a new travelator was installed linking two existing structures; the main shopping centre and the shopping centre car park.
The canopy protects the travelator users from adverse weather.
The canopy is stretched between two large steel rings attached to the building facades and provides an interesting screen for coloured LED projections.
Shade And Membrane Structures Australia (Design / Project Management / Install)
Completed: May 8 2014
Client: James Trowse Constructions
Team: Opus Architecture, Osborn Lane, James Trowse Constructions, Shadecom
Project: Penbank Sound Shell
Entrant: Structureflex Pacific – Designer / Fabricator
Location: Penbank School, 460 Tyabb Rd, Moorooduc, Vic
Client: Penbank School
Struct. Eng.: John Killmister
Builder: Shade Living
Fabricator: Structureflex Pacific
No further details have been entered.