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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.


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.


 

Blacktown Village Green
Blacktown Village Green

 

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

PROJECT 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.

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Pacific Fair Entrance
Pacific Fair Porte Cochere

 

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.

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Hagley Oval from pitch
Hagley Oval from pitch

 

Project entered in the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Medium Structures, #4047)

Entrant: Fabric Structure Systems (Designer / Fabricator / Installer)

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand.   Completed: October 2014  Client: Cantebury Cricket Association

Team: Athfield Architects, Wade Design Engineers Ltd, Southbase, Fabric Structure Systems 

Application: The establishment of an international venue at Hagley Oval for the 2015 cricket world cup and beyond. This required the construction of a new world class cricket pavilion, out of which an architectural fabric was chosen.

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60 Margaret Street, Sydney
60 Margaret Street, Sydney (MakMax)

 

Credits - Entered by MakMax

Category: Tension structures - (coated fabrics) less than 500sqm
Client: W. Eggerking & Co Pty Ltd
Engineer: Tensys, Peter Lim
Fabric: Hiraoka 212-II SAC
Date completed: 21 February 2012
Address: 60 Margaret Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Size: 600sqm
Steel Supplier: Steelman
Fabric Supplier: Hiraoka Australia
Installer: Sydrig

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Glen Eira Aquatic Centre
Glen Eira Aquatic Centre

 

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

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"

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Verandah Cafe - Hamilton New Zealand
Verandah Cafe at Hamilton NZ

Entrant: Structurflex Ltd - Engineering Fabrication Installation
Location: Hamilton Lake Domain
Client: Hamilton City Council
Architect: 360 Architects
Struct. Eng.: Compusoft Engineering
Builder: Foster Construction
Fabricator: Structurflex

This project was entered in the LSAA 2009 Design Awards - Medium Structures (#2022)

No further details have been entered to date. 

St Joseph's College Netball Court
St Joseph's College Netball Court

 

Project entered into the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Medium Fabric Structures Entry 2698)

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. 

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Green School Pods, New Plymouth, NZ
2374 Green School Pods - New Plymouth, NZ

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APPLICATION OF PROJECT:      

3 Pod like classrooms at Green School NZ

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

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.

DESIGN / FABRICATION / INSTALLATION BRIEF

It was requested by the architect that we would supply a membrane solution for three-pod like classrooms for Green School New Zealand, to function as an aesthetic cladding and to create a ventilated thermal barrier to reduce a “heat soak effect” into the building.  This was to complement the “green” label for the structure, reducing running costs and adding an organic look.

STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS

The overall complexity of the project was caused by the intriguing shape and challenging geometry, also the construction materials which were proposed.  

The glulam timber beams implicated large tolerances on site, which required the steel components to be customized to match each of the three structures.

3d- digitizing of the design assisted by the construction of the tension-membranes.  The high stretch of the fabric paired with the shape of the structures added the additional complexity of staged tensioning over multiple weeks.

MATERIALS

Mehler – Valmex Lodge de lux FR – 580gsm PVC

FABRICATION

The fabrication had complex geometry as the fabric had a high weft compensation which meant minimum tolerance to allow for the correct fit. The geometry for the fabric started with digital site measure using a Proliner first, followed by computer controlled cutting many checks and keder length dimensions to ensure accurate final panel size.

A similar process was used for the steel fabrication given the challenging geometry.

COLLABORATION, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

Being a bespoke membrane structure Cleland Construction Limited had to overcome the different approach from standard construction methodology and Fabric Structures & Cleland Construction work well to get the desired effect. This was mainly around a realization that fabrication off a 3D model was not going to create a successful outcome, therefore a proliner measure once the steel had been installed, then fabrication (with multiple QA check s) was agreed.

COSTS

Design – 12%   Fabric – 6%   Fabrication – 6%     Steel – 50%     Extrusion etc – 4%  Installation – 22%

PROJECT CREDITS

Project Name  Green School New Zealand
Location       406 Koru Road, Koru
City    New Plymouth
Country        New Zealand, 4374
Completion Date     Oct-20
Category 2    Medium structures – 250m2 – 1000m2
Entrant Name         Fabric Structures Limited
Address:       141 Dent Street,
Suburb:        Central Business, Whangarei
Country:       New Zealand, 0110
Telephone Land line:         +64 9 4388343
Mobile:         +64 275276452
Email Address:        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website address:     www.fabricstructure.co.nz
Entrant Type / Role Designer / Fabricator / Installer
Project Client:         Green School
Project Architect:    Glen Brebner, Milca Severo, Boon
Structural Engineer: Fabspan/XiangDu
Specialist Consultant & Role:       Kayne Jacobson, Project Manager
Building Contractor: Cleland Construction Limited
Fabricator(s): Fabric Structures Ltd – for membrane fabric
Others:         Meco Engineering Co for Steel (under FSL contract)

Ocean Supercenter
Ocean Supercenter

 

This project was entered into the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Cat 2 Medium Structures #72)

Entrant: GeoMetal Limited (Design & Engineering)

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

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Jakarta Mosque
Jakarta Mosque

 

Entrant: Taiyo Membrane Corp
Client: Taiyo Birdair Asia PTE LTD
Architect: Taiyo Membrane Corp
Structural Engineer: Robert McDonald (TMC)
Fabricator(s): Taiyo Membrane Corp  

This project was entered in the LSAA 2007 Design Awards (Cat 2, 2002) Medium Fabric Structures

Application:

The project was designed to enhance the area around the mosque where believers come to pray. It allowed for a unique and innovative design for the Mosque and its congregation. Installed in Taman Rasuna, Jakarta, this outdoor area has been enhanced through the structures without it defaming the mosque and its ambient presence.

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