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 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
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.
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.
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.
As part of Transport NSWs upgrade to the M6 freeway Stage 1 development, new recreational facilities were developed to provide shade to the community in various areas including McCarthy and Brighton Reserve. As part of the McCarthy Reserve upgrade, Fabritecture was contracted for the design and construction of eight (8) structures to provide shade cover for recreational facilities over a playground. The structures feature both Gale Pacific 95 Mesh and architecturally perforated aluminium.
2024 LSAA Design Award Entry ID #2863 Tumbalong Green Amphitheatre
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ENTRY CATEGORY (1-6) |
2 Medium Structures |
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ENTRANT ROLE |
Engineer / Install |
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PROJECT NAME: |
Tumbalong Green Amphitheatre Roof |
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APPLICATION OF PROJECT: |
Public Amphitheatre roof covering |
Creating a showpiece architectural structure in Darling Harbour, the Tumbalong Green Amphitheatre is a remarkable marriage of beautiful elements and engineering expertise. Exemplifying the stunning possibilities of lightweight structure design, the soundshell curves up and over the stage, appearing to almost float over the performance space and encourages sound to wash over the audience like a breaking wave.
An example of architectural design meets functionality, the combination of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structural elements supporting a 1000 square metre PVC membrane have created a lightweight, and visually appealing public amphitheatre roof.
Client: Emirates Engineering Services Architect: ARENCO
Structural Engineer: Wade Consulting Group
Fabricator(s): Structurflex Ltd
This project was entered in the LSAA 2007 Design Awards (Medium Structures #3022) by Structurflex Ltd
Provide an ascetically pleasing entrance structure that is visible from a great distance.
The instruction was to supply an open and light atrium at the entrance to the mall.
Entrant: Atkins Fabrication (Aust) Pty Ltd - Fabricator
Location: Abilene - Texas USA
Client: USA Shade & Fabric Structures Inc.
Fabricator: Atkins Fabrication (Australia) Pty Ltd
This project was entered in the LSAA 2009 Design Awards - Medium Structures (#2129)
A tensioned membrane structure with multiple panels defined by parallel steel arches.
No further details have been entered at this stage.
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
Covering an area surrounded by buildings and infrastructure can be challenging, this project succeeds in proving 300sqm of covered space to a Sydney inner city child care centre. Our client requested a complete coverage solution to an odd shaped terrace area in Sydney’s inner city.
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