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.

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

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)

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.