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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.

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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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Sydney Aquarium Dugong's at Mermaid Lagoon
Sydney Aquarium Dugong's at Mermaid Lagoon

 

Sydney Aquarium Dugong's at Mermaid Lagoon

This Project was entered into the LSAA 2009 Design Awards (29047)

Entrant: UFS Australasia Pty Ltd - Designer / Fabricator
Location: Sydney Aquarium - Darling Harbour Sydney
Client: Sydney Attractions Group
Struct. Eng.: Wade Consulting
Builder: Universal Fabric Structures / Ozrig
Fabricator: Fabric Shelter Systems

No further details have been entered.

 

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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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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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Halo Night Club Brisbane
Halo Night Club Brisbane

 

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.

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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)

Abilene Airport
Abilene Airport

 

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)

No further details have been entered at this stage.

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Point Boston Peninsular Club
Point Boston Peninsular Club

 

Entrant: MakMax Australia - Designer
Location: Port Lincoln South Australia
Client: Kym Clarke Constructions
Architect: John Diekman Architects
Struct. Eng.: MakMax Australia
Others: Cost Management Partners
Builder: Kym Clarke Constructions
Fabricator: MakMax Australia

This project was entered in the LSAA 2009 Design Awards (Cat2, Medium Fabric Structures #2813)

No further details have been entered to date.

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Panned side shot of the Rady Shell (photo credit: San Diego Symphony)
Rady Shell - San Diego (2021 DA Entry)

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Outdoor concert theatre at Jacobs Park

The Rady Shell Concert Venue Description

The Rady Shell in San Diego Symphony’s new bay side venue is the first permanent year-round bay side concert venue in the nation operated by the Symphony Orchestra. The Rady Shell can accommodate audiences of 3,500 – 8,000 per concert and up to 10,000 for special events.

Fabritecture was engaged for the technical design and fabrication of the Rady Shell performance structure and surrounding pavilion structures. The Shell itself comprises a rolled steel frame and PTFE cladding. The entire structure is approximately 236,000lbs (107,000kgs or 107 tonnes).

The stage accommodates an orchestra size of up to 150 musicians and choir with a front of stage width of 32m and depth of 20m. The roof cantilevers 15m from the front of the stage and can carry a payload of up to 50T. The stage incorporates state of the art constellation sound system designed and engineered by Meyer Sound. This system provides an exemplary sound environment on stage for the musicians, whilst also providing the technical flexibility required for a variety of other performances

The overall project includes development of a range of public facilities, including restrooms, fitness facilities & rest areas. Food pavilions and a small stage are also part of the master design plan.

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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