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There are several categories of "shade" structures which typically are constructed from knitted shadecloth in varying degrees of shade factor.

Shade structures for sun / hail and wind protection of large nurseries have been common in Australia since the mid 1980s. Similar shade structures utilizing seat belt webbing as edge cables have been applied to protect cars from sun and hail in Australia, USA, South Africa and other regions.

Since the increased awareness of UV related issues, there has been many shade panels installed in playgrounds and schools. One of the issues is that the shaded area at ground level - or where kids are playing - is not in the desired location because the changing angles of the sun at different times of the day and for different seasons have not been calculated.

There is a larger number of contractors operating in the supply of domestic and small scale shadecloth structures and the pricing competition on these systems has often lead to unsafe cost cutting measures being taken. In many cases structures have been built without certification by a competent structural engineer. There has been many cases where footings and cantilevered columns are totally inadequate for the horizontal loads generated.

Another issue is the large deflections of these structures under hail loads and wind. Often there is very small amounts of fabric prestress.

Shadecloth structures are generally made from separate panels of knitted shadecloth to provide a degree of shade and hail protection. This can lead to unprotected areas between panels. Refinement to the panel layout could be to overlap panels and/or to join the mid-edges of adjacent panels.


Shadecloth panels under wind
Shadecloth panels under wind

An enclosed kids playground has several triangular shaped knitted shade cloth panels erected to provide sun shade. The site is in Maroubra NSW located quite close to the ocean. A series of still images was taken when there was a "moderate" sea breeze blowing. It is unlikely that the kids and supervising parents would be still using the playground in a gale.

It is clear that the vertical movements and clearances to fixed objects such as towers, "forts" needs to be adequate. Here the movement might be plus or minus 800mm.

Photos by Peter Kneen 2014.

Maroubra ShadeunderWind

School playground with shadecloth cover
School playground with shadecloth cover

Knitted shadecloth panels are often used to provide shade over playgrounds in schools and council areas.

2023 09 PWK playground

These panels deflect much more than the stiffer coated fabrics we use in lightweight structures and sufficient clearance must be allowed for above slides, castles and other objects. It is also important that the actual area required to be shaded is calculated correctly allowing for the different seasons and time of day.

The following video represents the movements in a wind estimated to be about 60 kph. (Courtesy Peter Kneen)

Scarborough Foreshore Shade Structures
Scarborough Foreshore Shade Structures

Award of Excellence: LSAA 2018 Design Awards Shadecloth Category (3232)

APPLICATION OF PROJECT

A series of bespoke architectural shade structures

Scarborough Foreshore Project Description

Our scope of the Scarborough Foreshore project included the design & construction of three steel-framed arbour structures that were to be installed as part of a regional redevelopment of Scarborough.

The structures are comprised of 31 architectural ‘tree-like’ stands that support the mesh & realise the architectural vision of the structures. They are placed along the South beachfront, North beachfront, and Intergenerational Plaza of Scarborough

Photo Credit: Photography Project

Yeppoon Lagoon Skatepark Shade Structures Project
Yeppoon Lagoon Skatepark Shade Structures Project

 

LSAA 2018 Design Award Entry

Architectural shade canopy over a skatepark

Yeppoon Lagoon Skatepark Shade Structure - Description

Livingstone Shire Council were looking for a unique solution to traditional hypar shade structures when planning for the skatepark redevelopment at Yeppoon Lagoon. The shade structure was designed to become a focal point of the skate park. It’s a shade structure, but it’s also a colourful, fun, artistic addition to the outdoor sport facility.

Photo Credit: Nathan White

Fabric Connection Details - Piara Waters
Fabric Connection Details - Piara Waters

Project entered in the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Shadecloth Structures #3225)

Entrant: Fabritecture (Designer and Installer)

Location: Armadale, WA.   Completed: July 30 2014  Client: McCorkell Constructions
Team: Donovan Payne Architects, Greenup Design International, Fabritecture, Fabric Solutions Australia

Application: Shade structure designed to cover an alfresco and playground area as part of the Stage 2 works of a new Sporting Pavilion

The images below were taken by James Simmons Portrait and Wedding Photography

 

Column Base Detail - Sea World Polar Bear Enclosure
Column Base Detail - Sea World Polar Bear Enclosure

 

Project entered in the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Shadecloth Structures #1332)

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

Location: Sea World.   Completed: December 1, 2013  Client: Village Roadshow Theme Parks

Team:  Osborn Lane / Global Membrane Design and Alliance Design Group, Astute, Shadecom

Application: To provide a shaded solution for the impending birth of the new Polar bear cub “Henry”

Description

Working closely with the engineers and designers along with the client and builder we were able to complete this stunning shade structure in an extremely tight time frame. Given 8 weeks notice Shade and Membrane Structures Australia were asked to be part of a design group that had to design the entire enclosure. Given very little information to begin with SMSA successfully met all of the many challenges that ensued and installation was completed within in a very tight site and time frame, and was successfully completed with great results.

Nambour Hospital Shade Structures
Nambour Hospital Shade Structures

This Project was entered in the LSAA 2013 Design Awards (Cat 3, 3351)

Essentially the purpose of the project was about cost effective space creation.

The tensioned awning is positioned over a deck area on the first floor at the Nambour children’s hospital. The Hospital is located on the side of a steep incline, the deck is located in an elevated position.

The awning-covered deck now allows children recovering from surgery or illness to play outdoors on the deck in supervised shaded conditions. Previously children were confined to an internal hospital playroom.

Children, parents and staff using the facilities refer to the structure as the (Sydney) ‘Opera House’ – Not a bad comparison given this project was built on a shoestring financial budget.

Detail - Cockburn Town Square Shade Structures
Detail - Cockburn Town Square Shade Structures

 

This project was entered in the 2013 LSAA Design Awards (Small Structures, 1301) by Fabritecture

Cockburn Town Square

  • Location: Cockburn Town Centre
  • Client: Phase 3 Landscapes
  • Completion Date: February 2013

Fabritecture delivered the design and installation of a customized fabric structure that echoed the vibrant community tapestry of Cockburn in Western Australia. 

In line with the project brief, Fabritecture utilised the design inspiration of a multi faceted community and its lifestyle needs.

The finished fabric structure provides an iconic and unique landmark - a welcome addition to the tapestry of community life.