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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.


 

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.

Finished-Shore-Pool-Skylight 1
Shore School Pool Hall Skylight (DA 2022 Entry by MakMax)

LSAA 2022 Plaques 0006

APPLICATION OF PROJECT:      

ETFE 600 sqm Skylight over an indoor swimming pool

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:The Shore Physical Education Centre (SPEC) was built to deliver a suite of new flexible learning spaces including a multi-purpose sports complex and an indoor swimming pool. The 16 pillow, 3-layer ETFE skylights were a key part of the indoor swimming pool roof, designed to fill the indoor aquatic centre with natural lighting, while also providing a modern, highly aesthetic architectural feature to the roof.

New Porte Cochere at the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
New Porte Cochere at the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre

 

This project was entered into the LSAA 2016 Design Awards Category 2 (Medium Fabric Structures # 2114)

Entrant: Fabritecture (Designer and Installer)

Location: Broadbeach, QLD.   Completed: Feb 29 2016

Client: Scentre Group (Westfield)

Team: Scentre Group (Westfield), Wade Design, Fabritecture, Textile Fabrication Services, Fabritecture

Application

A spectacular feature porte cochere architectural fabric structure for the main entry point of the new Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

Ocean Supercenter - New Signature Structure
Ocean Supercenter - New Signature Structure

 Signature Structure at the Ocean Supercenter Shopping Mall

Entrant: GeoMetal Limited (Design & Engineering) - LSAA Design Awards 2016 (Cat 2, Medium Structures #72)

Location: Ocean Supercenter, Myanmar, Thailand.   Completed: January 2016.  Client: Capital Properties

Team: Process Architect & Planner Co., Ltd., Fastech Company Limited

Application: Signature Structure at a shopping Mall

Description: The shopping mall is one of first projects to use a tensile fabric structure in Myanmar. It was a pleasure for Geometal to design and install for this project. Client’s enquiries Geometal team to create a significant landmark at main entrance of the shopping mall.

Halo Night Club Brisbane - Interior View of inverted membrane cone
Halo Night Club Brisbane - Interior View of inverted membrane cone

Entrant: Fabritecture

Location: Brisbane
Client: AGS Construction
Completion Date: February 2012

This project was entered in the LSAA 2013 Design Awards (Cat 2, 2301)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Halo was designed to take full advantage of Brisbane's wonderful weather offering a sophisticated, open-air lounge environment. In the trendy suburb of Paddington on the West Side of Brisbane is the Caxton Street Precinct famous for its entertainment venues and bustling nightlife.

Interior shot of the Dreamworld Switchback canopy
Interior shot of the Dreamworld Switchback canopy

Dreamworld Taipan Theme Park Entrance Canopy Description

The Steel Taipan ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast is the theme parks newest attraction. The AUD$32million roller coaster features a 1.2km track roller coaster and the Southern Hemisphere’s first triple launch system that launches the train forward, backwards, and then forwards again at a top speed of 105km/hr!

Fabritecture was contracted for the design & construction of a bespoke walkway canopy structure to shelter patrons as they wait in line for the Steel Taipan ride. The structure features custom printed Serge Ferrari PVC designed to match the architectural intent of the structure – to emulate the scales of a taipan snake!

Yas Island Gateway Park Shade Structures - 2011
Yas Island Gateway Park Shade Structures - 2011

 

This project was entered in the LSAA 2011 Design Awards (Cat 2, 2575)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

In total three structures with a combined coverage of 1930m2.  The project consisted of two identical shade cloth structures comprising of eight Monotech HDPE 370 shade sails, 806m2 in plan area. The third structure of similar design comprised of six main sails of Fibertop PTFE and two hypar decorative sails in Monotech HDPE 370, 318m2 in plan area. The requirement for the project was an Iconic Design providing Solar Shading to shelter play equipment and BBQ facilities.

OTHER IMAGES

Conical Membrane Structure for the Glen Eira Aquatic Centre - Exterior View
Conical Membrane Structure for the Glen Eira Aquatic Centre - Exterior View

LSAA 2013 Design Awards - High Commendation (Category 2 Medium Structures #2926)

Entrant: Oasis Tension Structures

  • Location: East Boundary Rd, East Bentleigh
  • Client: Glen Eira City Council; Completion Date: December 2011

APPLICATION OF PROJECT: To encapsulate two vertically inter-twined waterslides, stairwell and support tower with a fully insulated tension structure. 

Glen Eira Aquatic Centre - Judges Comments

"Advances the technology in insulated membranes"

"Rather idiosyncratic form which answers a functional challenge, has a bit of fun, and provides some identity to a facility not short of disparate elements"

New Courtyard Canopy to the Al Raheeb Kindergarten UAE
New Courtyard Canopy to the Al Raheeb Kindergarten UAE

 

Entrant: Structurflex Ltd

Client: Dubai Municipality   Structural Engineer: Wade Consulting Group
Builder: Mazroui General Contracting   Fabricator(s): Structurflex Ltd 

This project was entered in the LSAA 2007 Design Awards (Medium Structures, #2022)

Al Raheeb Kindergarten UAE - Description of the Application

Provide a simple ascetically pleasing structure over the courtyard of a kindergarten. The small awnings around the perimeter to provide shade in the classrooms.