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Medium Fabric Structures

In terms of our LSAA Design Awards, a Medium sized Fabric Structure, or tensioned membrane structure, would have a surface area of between 250 and 1000 sqm.

Tensioned fabric or membrane structures of this size are often of one geometric form such as a conical structure with a central bale ring attached to a mast or tied down. The perimeter could be a series of edge cables, trusses or beams. If multiple units are used they the final structure may fall into the "large" category.

Other forms could be panels with internal diagonal arches, crossed arches, barrel vaults with intermediate valley cables. Sample structures in the following image gallery.



The following articles are in random order whilst the (separate) List of Medium Structures is in order of most recently modified article first. As of May 2025 approximately 42 articles are available.


 

John Street Bridge - New Covered Walkway - Whangarei, NZ
John Street Bridge - New Covered Walkway - Whangarei, NZ

John Street Bridge Whangarei, NZ - A New Permanent Canopy over Walkway and Weekend Market

This project was entered in the LSAA 2011 Design Awards (Cat 2, 2321)

APPLICATION: Public space & market canopy

As part of a major revitalisation and landscaping project for the Whangarei City Town Basin, the local council approached FSS to design a permanent canopy structure for the recently closed John Street bridge.

The John Street Bridge was one of two original road bridges connecting the Northern and Southern shores of the upper Whangarei harbour and forms part of the City Town Basin.

Southern Plaza Bar - Central Mast Fabric details
Southern Plaza Bar - Central Mast Fabric details

 

Southern Plaza Bar - Project Description

Close to completing the tensile membrane roof at Metricon Stadium, our client engaged MakMax to cover a smaller outdoor area. This project was a simple solution to shade and weather protection with a twist. Considerations for maximum ground space and design constraints made this project far more interesting.

Our brief for this project outlined a need for a large covered area for common use. Specifics included limited space for footings and design considerations to match the structure’s surroundings. The structure also needed to compliment the design of the stadium roof, MakMax engineers and architects Populous came up with a simple looking yet highly complex shape.

This project was entered in the LSAA 2011 Design Awards (Cat 6, 6005)

Penguin Parade Phillip Island
Penguin Parade Phillip Island

This project was entered in the LSAA 2011 Design Awards (Cat 2, 2600)

Entrant: Tensys Engineers

Aside from the images below, no further details have been entered at this stage.

This is a replacement structure for the one built in 1989 that was damaged in a storm



 

Great Southern Oceans Architectural Sails - Sydney Zoo
Great Southern Oceans Architectural Sails - Sydney Zoo

 

Entrant: Architectural Sails 

Client Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales
Architect: Jackson Teece Architects
Structural Engineer: Hughes Trueman (Concept Design)
Specialist Consultant(s): Wade Consulting Group, Meinhardt
Fabricator(s): Architectural Sails 

This project was entered in the LSAA 2007 Design Awards (Cat 2, Medium Fabric Structures #2469)

Aside from the images, no further details have been entered at this stage. Images follow:

Blacktown Village Green - New PTFE Canopy by MakMax
Blacktown Village Green - New PTFE Canopy by MakMax

This project was entered in the LSAA 2011 Design Awards (#7007)

Blacktown Village Green Covered Public Space - Description

This project was essentially a weather cover over a public space. During discussions with our sales team at the tendering stage it was clear that the project also had an element of environmental consideration. For this reason we developed a custom design that worked to these constraints.

The purpose according to builders was to create an inviting public recreation area. The architects specified a tensile membrane roof in order to cover the area while allowing natural light to enter the space.

Mildura Riverfront Performance Venue - Corner Connection Detail
Mildura Riverfront Performance Venue - Corner Connection Detail

This project was entered in the LSAA 2009 Design Awards (Cat 2, 2397)

Entrant: Oasis Tension Structures (Australia) Pty Ltd
Location: Hugh King Boulevard - Mildura VIC

Application: This large PVC structure was created to provide a spectacular shelter from which entertainment of all descriptions can operate under cover in the picturesque environment of the banks of the Murray River in Mildura.

The New Aquinas College Forum Tensile Membrane Structure - Underside View
The New Aquinas College Forum Tensile Membrane Structure - Underside View

This project was entered in the LSAA 2007 Design Awards (#3197) "Medium Fabric Structures"

Entrant: Tattersall Engineering

Client: Aquinas College / J A Dodd     Architect: Designinc Adelaide (Geof Naim)
Structural Engineer: Tattersall Engineering (See SEMF 2015)
Specialist Consultant(s): Wade Consultants     Builder: Tecraft Pty Ltd
Fabricator(s): Horizon Sailmakers / C E Bartlett, Riband (Steel), A Noble & Son (Cables)

Application and Functions of the New Aquinas College Forum Structure

The structure is a pivotal element in an $8m redevelopment of the main Aquinas College campus, which comprised a new library, Year 9 centre, canteen and arts centre as well as refurbishment of the old library as an IT, arts and careers centre.

Hornsby Aquatic Seating Covered Areas
Hornsby Aquatic Seating Covered Areas

 

This project was entered in the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Cat 2, Medium Fabric Structures 1293)

Entrant: Shade And Membrane Structures Australia (Design / Project Management / Install)

Location: Hornsby, NSW.   Completed: April 30 2014

Client: ADCO Constructions / Hornsby City Council

Team: Peter Hunt Architects, Larry Shyu Global Membrane Design, ADCO Constructions, Shadecom / Fabric Solutions

Application: To design, engineer, fabricate and install approximately 400 sqm of waterproof shade structures to cover two seating areas.

Knox Grammar School - Detail of Mast Base
Knox Grammar School - Detail of Mast Base

APPLICATION OF PROJECT:

The project was to design and install a unique waterproof shade structure to a Year 11/12 study area at an elite private Grammar School in Sydney.

The area under cover is 760sqm. The space to be shaded was clearly defined and located between the austere 19th century red brick buildings on a second floor flat tiled roof

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Knox Grammar School Project

Beyond a school’s playing fields, exposed concrete surfaces often represented the extent of outdoor space in many schools built a century ago.