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Large Fabric Structures

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.


 

Cabramatta Lawn Bowls Club Sun Protection Roof - During Construction
Cabramatta Lawn Bowls Club Sun Protection Roof - During Construction

LSAA 2013 Design Award Entry (#4301): Cabramatta Bowls Club

Entrant: MakMax Australia

  • Category: 4 ID Number:  4301
  • Location: Fairfield Rd, Cabramatta NSW
  • Client: Paynter Dixon Constructions Pty Ltd
  • Completion Date: October 2011

APPLICATION OF PROJECT: Long span sporting arena roof.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Sun safety in sport is a growing concern across all sectors of our community. Providing a playing surface protected from harmful sun is vital to the continuity of some sports. The sport of lawn bowls in particular have realised this is especially true for their aging demographic and shrinking membership.


Internal view of the Yogyakarta Airport Terminal
Internal view of the Yogyakarta Airport Terminal

APPLICATION OF PROJECT

Airport terminal drop off area roof

The New Yogyakarta International Airport (NYIA) Description

The new Yogyakarta International Airport (NYIA) at Kulon Progo Regency, serves the Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia, and is operated by Ankasa Pura. As part of the airport development, Fabritecture was contracted for the design & supply of ETFE pneumatic roofing as well as supply system and ducting.

The ETFE component of the roof comprises 84 2-layer cushions covers a plan area of approximately 14,314m2 and is part of an overall canopy integrating polycarbonate elements also, overall providing 18,900m2 of weather cover the exterior drop-off area.

The Link at Chadstone - External View
The Link at Chadstone - External View

LSAA 2022 Plaques 0001

APPLICATION OF PROJECT:      

The Link Chadstone is a covered walkway between Chadstone shopping Centre and Hotel Chadstone Melbourne.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Link Covered Walkway

The Link walkway in Chadstone is a visually stunning fabric-over-glulam structure that provides easy covered access for patrons between the Chadstone Shopping Centre and Hotel Chadstone Melbourne.

Commissioned by leading Australian real estate investment trust Vicinity Centres, and completed in October 2019, The Link is a 100m arched walkway that soars up to 15m above the pedestrian zone and is covered with 1750m2 of high-translucency THV-coated PTFE fabric.

QUT Sports Field Car Park Project
QUT Sports Field Car Park Project

 

Application: Sports stadium on top of a multi-level car park

This project was entered in the LSAA 2018 Design Awards (Cat 4 Large Fabric Structures, #4066)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Sportsfield Car Park project was part of the construction of a $27 million multi-story car park at the QUT Kelvin Grove campus in Brisbane. The roof-level is home to a FIFA accredited sports field, developed as part of the long-term expansion plans for the University.

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Sportsfield Car Park features a FIFA-accredited sports field on the roof of the AUD$27 million multi-level car park. This unique project included the design and construction of the steel, PTFE fabric membrane, fall arrest mesh, static line and score board.

Mehler Coated Technical Textiles supplied large quantities of coated fabric for the 2015 Milan Expo.

The major application was for sun shading the two main axes of the Expo. The 85,000 sqm of fabric was essentially planar rectangular panels attached to opposing valley and ridge cables.

One important concept behind the simple forms was the re-use of the fabric following the Expo.

Other projects included:

  • Iranian Pavillion (2,500 sqm)
  • Ferreo Pavillion (1,600 sqm)
  • Institution Bologna Pavillion (4,500 sqm)
  • Tent at the entrance (6,000 sqm)

For further details see HERE

Platypus Remediation Facility - Aerial View of the site
Platypus Remediation Facility - Aerial View of the site

The project was entered in the 2013 LSAA Design Awards (Large Structures, #3301)

Entrant: Global Fabric Structures (UFS)

Location: Sydney
Client: Thiess Australia
Completion Date: December 2012

HMAS Platypus Site Remediation - Project Description

The former HMAS Platypus site is nestled below the suburb of Neutral Bay, Sydney Australia on a quiet harbour inlet.

This site has been an integral part of the history of Sydney Harbour since the early 1800's. A gasworks, a workshop for servicing torpedoes and a base for Australian Submarines have a left a contaminated industrial site that is excavated out of sandstone and spread over several levels.



Arizona State University – Skysong Signature Structure
Skysong Signature Structure - Details

 

LSAA 2009 Design Award Entry: Arizona State University – Skysong Signature Structure

Entrant: Atkins Fabrication (Aust) Pty Ltd – Fabricator
Location: Arizona State University – USA
Client: USA Shade & Fabric Structures Inc.
Struct. Eng.: Wade Engineering
Fabricator: Atkins Fabrication (Australia) Pty Ltd

This project was entered in the LSAA 2009 Design Awards, Category 3.

Arizona State University – The Skysong Signature Structure is an excellent example of freeform tensile fabric architecture fabricated by Atkins.

No further details have been entered for this project


 

Queensland State Velodrome - Interior View of Roof
Queensland State Velodrome - Interior View of Roof

 

Queensland State Velodrome Roof Project - Entered in the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Cat 4 Large Fabric Structures, 4771)

Entrant: MakMax Australia (Engineer, Fabricator, Installer)

Location: Sleeman Sports Complex, Brisbane.   Completed: August 2016  Client: Watpac
Team: Cox Rayner Architects, Tensys, Arup, MakMax Australia

Application: Cycling Velodrome / indoor stadium


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."

  1. Greenslopes Private Hospital Car Park Canopies
  2. Projects from 2018 Design Awards (Cat 4)
  3. The Farm - Anish Kapoor
  4. ITE College West, Singapore
  5. Inglis Selling Centre Fabric Roofs at Warwick Farm Racecourse (2018)
  6. Large Fabric Structures - 2024DA - Hamilton Workingman’s Club Canopy
  7. East Cessnock Bowling Club
  8. Brisbane Airport Walkway
  9. Memorial Drive Tennis Centre Canopy (2021 DA)
  10. Brisbane State Tennis Outdoor Show Courts
  11. Sharjah Safari - Birds of Africa Aviary (DA 2022 Entry by Tensys)
  12. Mumbai Arrival Plaza
  13. Spanish Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020 (4726)
  14. The Glen Shopping Centre, Glen Waverley (Entry by Fabritecture)
  15. Porto Chino Shopping Mall
  16. Marrara Tennis Centre Fabric Roof Project (2018)
  17. Westlake Girls High School Sports Facility
  18. Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre
  19. Large Fabric Structures - 2024DA - Whitten Oval Indoor Training Facility
  20. Wellington Bowling Club Greens Cover Project (2018)
  21. Radome
  22. The Grand Pavilion RAS
  23. Panoli Gate House, India
  24. Pacific Fair Resort Roof
  25. Large Structures - 2024DA - Bank of Indonesia Millennial Function Hall
  26. Chevron Renaissance
  27. Marassi Beach Resort, Egypt
  28. Auckland Cablenet Zoo Aviaries Enclosures
  29. Large ETFE Structure - 2024DA - Link at Langley Atrium
  30. Large Fabric Structure - Field of Dreams
  31. The Cloud, Auckland
  32. Souk Okaz Public Theatre
  33. Playford Bowls Club Triple Green Roof Cover Project (2018)
  34. Clarke Quay Redevelopment - Singapore
  35. Ken Rosewall Arena, Stadium Roof, Sydney
  36. Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC)
  37. Macquarie University Campus Dining Room Project (2018)
  38. Large Structures - 2024DA -Te Hiku Sports Hub Project