The major fire at Grenfell Tower in 2017 which killed 72 people is now the subject of a new documentary film by Olaide Sadiq. 

For more details please see the review by Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian (June 20 2025)

As part of the STA SpecTex25 event in Melbourne, there will be a panel discussion looking at the changes to the NCC and how it might impact on the use of fabrics and in particular for facades.

It is at 9.30 on Friday 30 May 2025.

See the event details or contact the STA

Australian Sports Stadiums

Note the following links - and credits - go to the AuStadiums website

The Australian Olympic Committee is now (Feb 2025) pushing for some resolution on the main venues for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games

One main question is whether to upgrade (complete rebuild) the Gabba or to build new facilities.

See an article on "The Stadium Database" website

There has been several delays in the new proposed AFL Stadium in Hobart getting off the ground.

An article (April 2025) explaining this is on the Stadiums Database website

The re-development of the Penrith stadium is expected to be completed in 2027 and will see the capacity raised to 30,000

Populus is the Architect and John Holland is doing the Construction.

Some more information refer to "The Stadium Business" article

This is a very recent Japanese exhibition structure in Osaka 2025 Expo.

It "covers" a site area of 11,000 sqm and employs large amounts of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels.

Some places have hailed it as the World's largest Timber Structure. A proportion of the CLT panels are will be disassembled after the Expo and returned for use in subseqent projects. 

Not only is the design layout circular but the planned re-use also demonstrates the evolving trend towards "circular" design and sustainability.

For more details see this ArchDaily Article

The New Orleans' multi-purpose Superdome is getting another rennovation after 50 years of service.

It was built in the 1970s to provide for an enclosed stadium to ensure major football events could be held.

See Wikipedia for background on the Superdome Consider donating to keep this resource active.

See this article for further information about the most recent rennovations.

Much of the rennovation works is towards making a better "experience" for patrons which has been a trend in recent years in stadium designs.

The main structure is a steel framed lamellar dome with a diameter of 210m and height of 82.3m. 

There has been quite a bit of divided discusion about the new Hobart Stadium possibly put forward as the home of Tasmania's first AFL team.

COX Architecture have been appointed to lead the design consultancy with Alastair Richardson having some firm ideas as to what it should be.

See the article in Architecture and Design

Alastair is the Keynote Speaker on Day 1 of our LSAA 2024 Conference

Preliminary Design Concept

The proposed design made public in July 2024 involves a large timber ribbed dome structure. The translucent roof is credited to Schlaich Bergermann Partners and will feature ETFE inflated pillows attached to the timber ribs. Tensioned steel rods or cables will help stabilize the timber grid.

See some images on the ABC article

It is believed that the emphasis on the provision of Olympic class sporting venues has been adjusted in time for the Brisbane 2032 event owing to major cost overruns in previous Olympics.

Perhaps the best place to follow the development progress of the Brisbane Venues is at the Queensland State Development and Infrastructure website and a less formal site q2032.au

One thrust is to upgrade existing facilities for the Olympics in 2032 and then return them in a format suitable for ongoing community use.

A review of the major Gabba Stadium has suggested "modest enhancements"

Aside from the Gabba, a number of other venues that utilize lightweight structure architecture exist - and several of these have had major input from LSAA Members.

Located on the beautiful Gold Coast, Cbus Super Stadium is a world class rectangular stadium featuring a premium playing surface suitable for rugby union, rugby league or football events and training. This was previously known as the Robina stadium

With 30,000 seats (25,000 permanent and 5,000 temporary), 36,000 capacity for large concerts all under the cover of a roof, Te Kaha is New Zealand's premier and most accessible, inclusive, sustainable and flexible stadium venue.

Following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch the city has been rebuilding and a redesigned larger flexible stadium is a key project. The stadium hopes to attract key events that might otherwise bypass Christchurch.

There are some articles on "The Stadium Business" website as well as a dedicated stadium website. 

An update video is also on YouTube

An independent review of the Brisbane Olympics Infrastructure requirements has commenced.

Of particular interest to LSAA is the outcome pertaining to the Gabba Stadium - an upgrade or knock down and rebuild. Adjacent roads will impact on a potentail cost of several billions. 

See a brief article by Jarrod Reedie for Architecture and Design

Some background arguments are in an article by The Guardian

A CAD Drawing of part of the early new Gabba redevelopment - Peter Kneen 1994.

Since the 1990s, the new roof was extended but for the current proposed Brisbane Olympics a revised 50,000 seat stadium is being considered.

A link to a database site of stadiums may supply further information HERE

LSAA (previously MSAA), has been promoting the quality of tensile fabric structures since 1981 and hereby concurs and agrees with  the following statement (issued by Tensinet) with respect to the PFAS restriction proposal:

For more than half a century, structural membranes, including PTFE-coated glass fabric, PVC-coated polyester fabric, ETFE-foils, and other variants, have found widespread use. These Fluoropolymers are classified as Polymers of Low Concern (PLC).

Unfortunately, there is currently no alternative material (with comparable performance in terms of longevity, durability, strength, and fire-resistance), and the consequences of the PFAS restriction for the tensile fabric structures sector (or tensile membrane structures sector) would have a non-compensable negative impact.

Given that the tensile fabric structures occupy a specialised niche, we need to consolidate our efforts to ensure an effective communication.  LSAA wishes to obtain feedback and support from all stakeholders - contractors, fabricators, suppliers, engineers, architects (involved in this niche industry)

If you share this point of view, we invite you to support the petition, thereby helping to preserve the future of tensile fabric structures.

Follow the Tensinet link to learn about the Working Group position on PFAS and to sign and add your support to the online petition.
Tensinet states that you should sign before September 15. You may need to be a member.

An additional approach is to send an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Australian governments have been working collaboratively for some time to identify and treat existing PFAS contamination in the environment. All agree that more effort should be focused on preventing further PFAS releases into the environment.

The outline to the work done as well as an explanation of the consultation process can be found here

Work to establish the National Standard is underway. In the interim, Australian governments have developed the National PFAS Position Statement to start a national conversation about non-regulatory ways to reduce PFAS releases.

Statement can be viewed here

We have learnt that Saint-Gobain will be restructuring its Composite Solutions business.

That decision comes after a strategic review of the business and in the context of Saint-Gobain's continued goal of optimizing its business portfolio to deliver on its Grow and Impact Plan. The Composite Solutions Business Unit will no longer exist.

As a result of this restructure, Saint-Gobain will cease manufacturing the following products: PTFE & Silicone Rubber Coated fabrics; PTFE Coated Fabric and Silicone Belts; PTFE Cast films as well as Sheerfill Architectural Membranes; Sheergard.

Existing contracts for these products will be honoured, but not extended, and no new orders will be taken for these products.

The above is an extract from a letter by Michael Katzer Director Sales & Marketing EMEA

Download a PDF copy here

Article added September 23 2023