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.
This Project was entered into the LSAA 2009 Design Awards (29047)Entrant: UFS Australasia Pty Ltd - Designer / Fabricator
Location: Sydney Aquarium - Darling Harbour Sydney
Client: Sydney Attractions Group
Struct. Eng.: Wade Consulting
Builder: Universal Fabric Structures / Ozrig
Fabricator: Fabric Shelter Systems
No further details have been entered.
Entrant: Structureflex (Designer / Engineer)
Location: Echuca, Victoria. Completed: January 2015
Client: St Joseph's Catholic College
Team: Y2 Architects, Steve Huppert, John Killmister (Cert. Eng), Shade Living Pty Ltd, Fabric Solutions (membrane), Thornton Engineering (steel)
Application
As part of a new gymnasium and music centre it was proposed to extend a covered outdoor area over the new netball court that adjoins the building with a 38m x 22m PVC barrel arch roof structure attached to new steel framed gymnasium.
APPLICATION OF PROJECT:
3 Pod like classrooms at Green School NZ
To provide an outer skin from a material that can be recycled if/when replaced and also blends into environment. Wastage of non-recyclable materials to be kept to a minimum.
Also to provide the support frame to take the PVC membrane.
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)
Entrant: Light Weight Structures Advisory Service - Engineering Fabrication Installation
Location: Isa Royal Military College - Kingdom of Bahrain
Client: Alasco Group & Al Alaa Shade Company
Struct. Eng.: Trevor Scott & Jeremy Hunter
Specialist: LTWSAS
Builder & Fabricator: Al Alaa Shade Company
This project was entered in the LSAA 2009 Design Awards (Cat 2, Medium Fabric Structures #24558)
This project was entered in the LSAA 2011 Design Awards (Cat 2, 2131)
APPLICATION OF PROJECT:
Hospitality and Recreation: The tensile fabric structures provide shade canopies for the patrons of the alfresco dining areas as well as creating an aesthetic focal point to the front of the apartment building at Soul, Surfers Paradise.
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
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
Beyond a school’s playing fields, exposed concrete surfaces often represented the extent of outdoor space in many schools built a century ago.
This project was entered in the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Cat 2 Medium Structures, 2047)
Entrant: Fabric Structure Systems (Designer / Fabricator / Installer)
Location: Whangarei, New Zealand. Completed: April 2016
Client: Whangarei District Council
Team: Wade Design Engineers Ltd, Fabric Structure Systems, Culum Engineering (Steel)
Application
To enhance the CBD environment and aid in the rejuvenation of the central business district to encourage the return of pedestrian traffic therefore enhancing the shopping experience.
Description
A local council initiative to revitalise the existing town center mall. The new canopy to be an integral feature of the ‘ shared space’ pedestrianizing of the dated 40 year old mall.
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