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:

Project Entry in LSAA 2011 Design Awards (Cat 7, 7400)

Project entered by Tensys Engineers

Aside from the images below, no further details have been entered to date.

This structure was entered in the LSA 2007 Design Awards (Cat 2, 2001) Small Fabric Structures

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

Application:

Based in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, Healesville Sanctuary wanted an eye-catching structure for the redevelopment of their innovative new native animal hospital and research facility. Design to provide an interactive experience for visitors, the centre uses the innovative membrane surface both as a roof and an enclosure over an internal courtyard.

Northern Busways Park & Ride Terminals

Entrant: Structurflex Ltd
Client: North Shore Council
Entered in the LSAA 2007 Design Awards (Cat 1, 1022)

The architect's requirements were:

To create a space that retained a sense of daylight.
To provide a unique roof as a landmark for the bus stations.
To provide a number of connected canopies that gave a cloud effect.
To provide a means of hiding the florescent lighting and components within the "clouds".
Read more: Northern Busways Park & Ride Terminals

This project was entered in the LSAA 2011 Design Awards (Cat 1, 1968)

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

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.

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.

Project entered in the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Cat 1, Small Fabric Structures, #1290)

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)

The design brief was to Install an extension to an existing large (1550 sq m) canopy over a small area of approximately 12 sq m to provide additional sun and rain protection to existing and proposed servery windows at a school canteen.

Entered in the LSAA 2007 Design Awards (Cat 3, #3001)

Entrant: Taiyo Membrane Corp (later MakMax)

Client: Victoria Racing Club Architect: Taiyo Membrane Corporation
Structural Engineer: Xiang Du (TMC) Fabricator(s): Taiyo Membrane Corp

Application and Function:

The purpose was to provide a dynamic meeting point to the North of the Flemington Racecourse, where people can meet, greet and gather prior to entering the grounds. [Stored as a Small Fabric Structure]

This project was entered in the LSAA 2011 Design Awards (Cat 1, 1017)

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.

Award of Excellence, LSAA 2018 Design Awards Cat 1 Small Structures (1400)

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.

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.

Entrant: 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

This project was entered in the LSAA 2016 Design Awards - Category 1, Small Fabric Structures, #1434

The application of the project was to provide a waterproof covered structure to the School's new Amphitheatre

Project Entry in LSAA 2011 Design Awards (Cat 7, 5004) 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.

South Hedland Town Centre

LSAA 2013 Design Awards High Commendation (Cat 5, ID 4304)

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.

Entered in the LSAA 2007 Design Awards (Cat 2, 2837)

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

Application and Function(s) of Project:

1. To provide an arts studio for indigenous artists to both work and display their art

2. The studio had to be designed in accordance with the severe local climatic conditions both structurally and mechanically

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)

Entered in the LSAA 2009 Design Awards Category 1. Small Fabric Structures

No further details have been entered