A MEMORIAL FOR VICTIMS AND SUVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE - BALLARAT Selected as the winning scheme out of 25 entries as part of a National Design Competition. Our proposal reimagines the traditional idea of memorials as static objects and instead proposes a civic space that is commemorative and dynamic, supporting reflection, healing and conversation.
The genesis of The Memorial is the expression of the survivors healing journey. This is represented as brass strands that emerge from the land and the water. As they converge together they create a protective, self supporting canopy, a place to gather, a safe space. Through reflection and shadow play the strands appear continuous. They pass through a focal point surrounded by a central artwork that contains a collection of permanent contributions from survivors, victims and their families. This centrepiece expresses the complexities and dualities of dealing with trauma through the words of survivors. The anger and the forgiveness, The hope and the fear, the darkness and the light. The form expresses the highs and the lows, it is abstract but familiar, it is one of lightness and transparency but also embrace and protection. It acknowledges the journey of the individual as well as the importance of community, togetherness and strength. The memorial and the landscape have been designed to embrace seasonal change.
The AGM will be held at the close of Day 1 of the LSAA 2024 Conference “Connecting To Tomorrow” on Thursday 12th September 2024 commencing at 5:15pm AEDT.
The AGM Notice of Agenda along with the minutes of our AGM of the previous year and the 2024 Conference Flyer has been emailed to all Financial and recent unfinancial members.
A fantastic program has been assembled around Connecting to Tomorrow, seeking to encompass all the connections at the heart of the future of the lightweight structures field – connections to technology and the environment, to help us build tomorrow’s world today. It has been carefully curated for anyone at any stage of a lightweight structure’s life: clients, architects, engineers, manufacturing & construction companies, end users and more!
It will cover everything from big global complex issues like AI to the intricate issues that surround our everyday simple awnings and umbrellas!
We look forward to your attendance at the AGM and hope that you can make it to the conference as well.
Business Sessions Topics presented by industry experts at SPECTEX24
Peter Lim LSAA President
Peter Lim is a Director of Tensys and working in the field of lightweight structures and space frames for the past 25 years. His expertise and experience is not only in design but also project management, execution and delivery of these unique complex geometric structures internationally.
Tom Westcott Company Founder of Alfresco Shade
Topic: Use software to make your business grow
How essential is it in today’s competitive market to use software to make your business grow? Tom will share how Alfresco Shade’s use of Cloud Based Software which evolved during the pandemic, and has allowed to grow and communicate.
Martin Eddleston, Director of Sales at MakMax Australia
Topic: Effective Shading
Martin is a design leader whose specialist knowledge in manufacturing and installation ensures MakMax's architectural solutions are designed with buildability at their core. He will be speaking to us about using HTL, Opaque, shade factors comparison, fabric UV factors, and shade coverage.
Rafael Guedez, Group Design Manager at Fabritecture
Topic: Project case study – Tensile Architecture
Rafael's remarkable design management skills shine through in successfully delivering key projects. He will present to us a completely cost transparent project to emphasise the small cost comparison of the fabric component to promote quality fabric over price motivations.
Aldo Hengevela and Jorge Idrobo Cuaran, both from D&R Group
Topic: Fabrication efficiency
They will share with us their key tips to utilising fabric width and reducing waste, as well as understanding acceptable fabric faults, increasing roll yield and much more.
Fiona McDonald, Product Technologist at AWTA Product Testing
Topic: Accelerated Weathering
Fiona is a senior textile technologist with over 30 years’ experience in textile and product material testing. She is a NATA technical auditor and is a member of Standards Australia Technical Committees in the textile field. Fiona will present an introduction to laboratory based accelerated weathering techniques on textiles and hardware for the Australian climate
Panel Discussion: Andrew Nasarczyk - Gale Pacific, Greg Goldblat - Serge Ferrari, Dwayne Rickard - Mehler Texnologies, Damien Digbey - TexBack.
Topic: Sustainability - Environmental management for fabric manufacturing. Initiatives taking place by fabric manufacturers.
Panel discussion focusing on advancements in the production process of sustainable products.
This Business session is supported by LSAA
Field of Dreams
Fabritecture was contracted for the design and construction of the bespoke canopy structure for the Field of Dreams project at Oxford Falls Grammar School in New South Wales, Australia. The concept design required weather protection for two competition playing courts located on the top floor of the two-storey facility.
Along with the PTFE canopy, stainless steel mesh was also installed along the sides of the open-air structure. This effectively encloses the space without sacrificing air circulation. The inclusion of the mesh also acts as a fall protection and ensures that balls and other equipment do not fall onto the nearby road.
Location: Oxford Falls, NSW
Completion Date: 2023
Size: 2,200m2 (253,680ft2)
Fabric: PTFE & Stainless Steel Mesh
Photographer: Paramount Studios
The Annual General Meeting of the
Lightweight Structures Association of Australasia Inc.
Year 2022/23
will be held from 11:00AM to 11:30AM AEDT.
on
Thursday 30th November, 2023
The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams
Formal notice and attached reports have been emailed to financial members (November 2 2023)
Melbourne, Australia - Naomi Milgrom AC, Founder of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation and Professor Alec Cameron, Vice-Chancellor and President, RMIT University have today jointly announced that MPavilion 2022 designed by Rachaporn Choochuey of all(zone), Thailand has been gifted to RMIT University and will be relocated to its new home at RMITís Brunswick campus.
Experimenting with materials and forms being used for the first time in Australia, all(zone), a female-led architecture studio based in Bangkok, Thailand, worked closely with Melbourne based Zilka Studio, TENSYS and AECOM to realise MPavilion 2022. MPavilion 2022 at Queen Victoria Gardens saw 352 free events 8 December 2022 to 8 April 2023 involving over 600 collaborators and attracting over 350,000 visitors.
The theme of the IASS 2023 symposium is Integration of Design and Fabrication, which is becoming increasingly important with the developments of digital technologies in both design and manufacturing.
Both our (LSAA) President Peter Lim from Tensys, and our Vice-President Scott Rathie from Arups gave presentations on the opening day of the Symposium.
Images from Greg Goldblatt.
Some images from the Master Class workshop:
HVG Fabrics is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Fisher to the newly created role of Business Development Manager – Shade Structures.
Mike comes to HVG with an extensive shade fabric background, notably as the general manager of Polyfab Australia for the last 6 years.
“HVG are very pleased to have someone of Mike’s pedigree in the Shade Fabric market join our national team of fabrics specialists. With a business driven by relationships built on trust and reliability, we believe Mike adds significant value with his many years experience in performance textiles.” Said Daniel Gollan, Business Manager of HVG Fabrics.
Dr Paul Joseph has worked in our industry continuously since gaining his Doctorate in Civil Engineering at Cambridge in 1987.
His Undergraduate Civil Engineering degree is from the University of Melbourne (1980, First Class Honours) and he followed this with a two year stint with the John Connell group here and in the UK.
On his return to Australia he spent twelve years with Spacetech where a major achievement was the development of the Oktalok Spaceframe System which was recognized with an Australian Design Award in 1990. Some outstanding projects including space frames at Melbourne Central and the Zenith Centre in Chatswood.
He acted as Design Engineer and Project Manager on many tension membrane structures including the Eureka Museum sails in Ballarat.
From 1999 to 2002 Paul was a Manager with Skyspan Pacific running the Melbourne office and providing management and technical support to agents in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia.
This was followed by a period with Tensys (2002 to 2008) where he first acted as the technical project manager for the New Bangkok Airport Concourse Structures. As an Associate, taking on a wide range of responsibilities and support for a growing geographical presence.
In 2008 he moved to Dubai and worked with Affan Building Systems on some specialist glass structures. In 2009 he worked with Taiyo Middle East in the Yas Island office where he was responsible for the technical coordination of 5 design offices and 3 fabrication facilities. The 7 PTFE Grandstands at the Yas Island F1 is a standout project.
Michael Lester has over 40 years professional engineering experience, specialising in tensile membrane structures which began with his work on a 1000 sqm fabric canopy for World Expo 88 in Brisbane.
His experience, innovation and engineering knowledge have ensured that the domestic and international project portfolio he has subsequently built, including Metricon Stadium, Queensland State Velodrome, Brasilia Stadium, Cape Town Stadium, Dubai Cricket Stadium and The Brisbane Gabba are recognised as iconic tensile membrane projects.
Other Australian significant tensile membrane projects include Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Pat Rafter Arena (Qld), Optus Stadium (Perth), Swan River Pedestrian Bridge, Marrara Tennis Centre (NT) and the Adelaide Tennis Centre.
Current projects include the tensile membrane roofing and associated work for the Sydney Football Stadium.
Mike is a Civil Engineer, a member of the Institute of Engineers Australia since 1985, a registered Professional Engineer Queensland (RPEQ) and Chartered Professional Engineer(CPE) with registration in all Australian jurisdictions.
Great things are happening when groups of people are brought together who have a common goal but originate from very diverse backgrounds and vocations.
In the case of the highly successful Green School project this very “happy” circumstance occurred.
The Green School-Team with the vision and the insight to provide a firm but flexible brief, which gave the Architects Team the opportunity to use un-inhibited design processes to create a truly remarkable design and Cleland Construction willing to take on such a complex design
Then add to this potent mix of talent and vision a Team which specializes in Tension Membrane Structures, Fabric Structures, along with Fabspan a talented tensile membrane Engineer and the “chemistry” will cause a reaction.
In this case the outcome of this reaction was the birth of a remarkable achievement, which reflects the brilliance of all the partners and the Teams who saw this project through, to completion.
Fabric Structures, being a very experienced Design and Build company, had also the added benefit of a young and vigorous “Computer Savvy” design team of which the members could work their way around the very demanding geometry of the design.
Contact Details :
James Mizen – Managing Director
Fabric Structures Limited
Phone: +64 275276452
Website: www.fabrictructures.co.nz
For more details see article
The LSAA is pleased to welcome the Brisbane based company Versatile Structures as a new Financial Member.
We trust you will benefit from the Association and the networking and recognition opportunities offered.
The 2021 AGM date has been set for November 26 2021.
LSAA Members can expect a copy of the various Reports and Financials by the end of October.
The event will be a virtual meeting with details also becoming available very soon. (Oct 28 2021)
GALE Pacific, has received endorsement for its range of architectural shade fabrics from the Cancer Council.
Recognising that good quality shade plays a vital role in reducing UV exposure, the endorsement covers GALE’s flagship Commercial Ninety-Five® 340, Commercial Heavy 430 and Commercial DualShade® 350 ranges. The Architectural Shade Fabric range is also available in a Flame Retardant variant.
In a country with one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, the endorsement and partnership brings together a pioneer of commercial shade with Australia’s leading cancer charity that works across every area of cancer, from research, to prevention, to support.
GALE Pacific takes great pride in manufacturing the highest quality shade fabric using premium-grade materials that stand the test of time and offer UV protection. Fully tested according to AS4174 by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, GALE Pacific’s shade fabrics deliver a high level of UVE protection.
See the Media Release for more info HERE
The LSAA AGM for the 2019-20 Financial Year is to be held via Microsoft TEAMS meeting from 11am on Friday November 27, 2020.
Nomination forms and various reports have been sent earlier to all financial members.
The Agenda, Annual Report and links for members to join the meeting have also been distributed earlier (See Agenda_Reports PDF and Minutes for 2018-19 PDF).
Note that members may also join a prior TEAMS meeting at 10am on the same day to discuss progress that the LSAA has made regarding Fire Issues with Fabric Structures - see article for details.
Over the past year, (2019-20), the LSAA Fire Subcommittee has been working with fire engineering experts (Basic Experts Pty Ltd) to help navigate through the National Construction Code for developing performance solutions for coated tensile fabrics in various circumstances. Basic Expert Pty Ltd has developed a Guide to Preparing a Performance Solution for Fabric which may be downloaded HERE.
The LSAA would like to offer members the opportunity to discuss The Guide and its implications on a Microsoft TEAMS meeting which will be scheduled prior to the AGM from 10:00 am to 11 am on November 27 2020.
As a LSAA member, if you plan to attend could you
The outline items to be discussed / presented are:
Over the next few months there will be a change of leadership in the Halifax Vogel Group Fabric Division.
After leading the division since 2009, Daniel Gollan will be leaving us in the next couple of months. However, we are pleased to announce that Paul Hunt has been promoted to the role of General Manager of HVG Fabrics and will transition into the role between now and when Daniel finishes up.Daniel has overseen a period of significant growth, both in sales and the product portfolio. He has developed industry leading brands in key areas. His departure is a loss, but he leaves with our blessing and best wishes.Paul is a more than worthy replacement. He is familiar to most of you with a 30+ year history in performance textiles. Paul brings a wealth of experience, having worked with HVG for many years in various roles and his appointment will ensure a smooth transition in leadership of the division.
HVG has been a strong supporter of LSAA.
See their Profile
August 2019
LSAA President Dr Kourosh Kayvani is Aurecon Managing Director – Design, Innovation & Eminence.
Aurecon has been named one of Australia and New Zealand’s most innovative companies, ranking number four in the professional services category of the prestigious AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies list.
The esteemed annual list, published by The Australian Financial Review and Boss magazine, is based on a rigorous assessment process managed by leading innovation consultancy Inventium in conjunction with a panel of industry expert judges. For the first time in 2019, organisations were ranked directly against their peers across ten industry lists that assessed entries from 800 nominated organisations throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Aurecon was recognised for its OpenGATE AutoDraw project that used computational design and machine learning to create automated digital drawings, driving greater accuracy, speed and enabling higher quality responses to design challenges.
For more details see http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1908/S00291/aurecon-recognised-on-afr-boss-most-innovative-companies.htm
August 2019
Mike Lester has been appointed as Chairman of MakMax Australia.
The LSAA is pleased to report that long term active MSAA/LSAA member Mike Lester has been appointed as Chairman of MakMax Australia.
Mike is a full Member of the Institution of Engineers Australia since 1985 and a Registered Professional Engineer in Queensland. He graduated in Engineering way back in 1978 and I believe he has been involved with membrane structures from shortly after that.
Mike has served on the Association's committee in the past and has chaired our Technical Sub-committee and more recently the Fire Sub-committee.
He has been a driving force in MakMax with his involvement in many Award winning projects - such as stadia roofs in several countries and at home.
See also the MakMax Profile
Several of our LSAA Members are attending SuperExpo 2019 including:
- Gale Pacific (Booth F69)
- Hiraoka (Booth L315)
- HVG Fabrics (Booth D32)
- Miami Stainless (Booth N269)
- Nolan Group (Booth E49)
- ProKnit Industries (Booth A367)
- Serge Ferrari (Booth D35)
- The Shann Group (Booth L221)
SuperExpo 2019 is Australia's largest trade exhibition for the window furnishings and specialised textiles industries.
It will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 12 - 14 June 2019.
Getting to the Starting Point (Mansfield, Thursday 11am)
The “Maddog” AKA PeterK travelled down from Sydney via the Southern Highlands when he attempted to find the necessary(?) gear for the trip into the High Country. In an earlier year featured an impromptu “show and tell” session where all participants brought out their latest gadgets (café styled coffee machines, fancy knives, cameras on long poles and drones). This year the Maddog had trouble finding even the basic gear after a move to the Southern Highlands.
Running out of time he set off aiming to take some astro photos of stars in the background of the famous timber bridges at Gundagai. Being overcast he pushed onto to catch a few hours sleep in the back of the Defender at Holbrook. Next morning there was quite a lot of fog on the way to Mansfield where I arrived well ahead of the meeting time. Fuelled up ready to go I crawled into the Defender to get an hours sleep. No sooner than I found enough space to lie down the phone rang. It was Brian who said he was already having a coffee in the Bakery. So a shot of caffeine would need to replace an hour of sleep.
Brian had a great run up from Melbourne in his Jeep (new “rugged” tyres after the previous trip) and Rowan arrived shortly after (also new tyres). Bob and John arrived for a pie and coffee. Bob had kindly done a shop for supplies prior to the meeting day to avoid delays owing to a “committee” shopping expedition in the local supermarket.
Day 1 Whitfield, Long Spur, Burnt Top Tracks
Earlier in the year there had been very extensive bushfires in the Victorian high country and a vast area where we normally go to had been closed by Parks Victoria. We had waited as long as possible to see if some areas and tracks would be opened before our trip – but this was not to be.
Bob had suggested some tracks to the north of the closed areas so we headed off up the bitumen towards Whitfield before heading south up the King River valley. John was assigned the role of navigator in Bob’s Defender. Putting Bob in the lead (I am trying to groom him into the role of “Maddog”) meant that I could be “tail end charlie”. We both had good radios so true “convoy procedures” (Roger this – copy that etc etc rubbish) could be followed.
We turned east off the King River Road and down to our first and most eventful river crossing. Piece of Cake – very shallow, not wide, slow water etc. Except on the far side the exit had two deepish wheel ruts and both Brian and the Maddog tried to avoid but slid sideways into the embankment. Brian was to make an appointment with his panel beater on his return and the Maddog carried a bit of the embankment on the bull bar after rearranging a wombat hole. So 300 metres of off-road and this! Actually not that bad – we had a yarn we could tell, we found a nice camping spot on the other side of the river and so then lowering the tyre pressures we set off up the Long Spur Track.
No, there were no other incidents of that nature to report.
The first crossing where the front wheels got out of the ruts and re-arranged the wombat hole on the right.
Cannot go anywhere without a committee meeting. Heading off up the Long Spur Track
A great view from part way up the Long Spur Track. (Infrared photo)
The rest of Day 1 saw us driving south along Burnt Top Track and descending back into the King River valley along Basin Road. Another committee meeting followed deciding on a campsite
This is the “inaugural” group that went on the first 2010 trip
Day 2 Speculation Track, Mt Cobbler
There had been quite a few occupied campsites along the King River but not as many as expected because of the closed tracks forcing visitors into the less popular areas.
The route today was to climb up the Speculation Track via the well known “The Staircase”. This section of the track is slow going simply to reduce the bumping from side to side as the staircase is climbed.
Brian going up the Staircase.
After the staircase, we drove out Speculation Track, past the Mustering Flat to the end. Here we came across some deer hunters as well as a local school support party dropping off supplies for their senior students who were spending a week or more in the bush. The main Australian Alps Walking Track is nearby and we hoped to get a view from Mt Speculation. Low cloud prevented a view so we returned and drove northwards to the Cobbler Plateau and a campsite we had discovered on an earlier trip.
All Maddog trips have included a walk of a few hours so we headed off towards Mt Cobbler along an easy graded foot track. Time was a bit short so after a while John and Brian headed back to set up the camp whilst Bob, Rowan and I pushed on to above the tree line near the top pf Mt Cobbler. The effort was rewarded by breaks in the low cloud and some extensive views. Some light snow on our descent. Going to be quite nippy that night. Bob opened his “Quarter Master’s Store” for jackets, gloves, beanies. He really does have some good gear!!
Infrared photo of a snow gum on Mt Cobbler
Summit of Mt Cobbler in the near distance.
Bob’s Tensioned Fabric Structure at the Cobbler Plateau campsite.
That night was on the cool side with temperatures dropping down to perhaps below freezing point. Nice campfire and suitable beers, reds and scotch (of course) helped.
Day 3 The Mt Buggery Loop
After a “non-pressured” start it was a short drive north along the Cobbler Lake Track for a brief stop to enjoy the pretty Lake Cobbler. We had camped there on an earlier trip but this time the place was full of 4WD cars so we were glad we had stopped on the plateau a few kms to the SW.
Two Views of Lake Cobbler – colour (Bob) and Infrared (Maddog)
From here the plan was to cross NE down the Abbeyard-Lake Cobbler Track (which we had done on a previous trip) into the Buffalo River valley. Partly along this track we turned around as one of the climbs had become very gnarly. Brian would have appreciated this decision! So, a retreat and a big circuit around the Rose River Road brought us back to the Buffalo River near the Manna Gum camping grounds.
A short drop off the main road took us across the Buffalo River where the climb up the Durune Track met with the Mount Buggery Track which runs along the main ridge leading to Mt Buggery. At the Camp Creek Track we headed down and west to the Buffalo River where we found a spot for the night beside the river. No incidents, some more deer hunters passed. Maddog missed a gear change and stalled but being in the rear nobody was to see that senior’s moment.
Buffalo River Campsite – we do it rough
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Neatly organized bar and waste collection. All labels carefully critiqued.
Brian, now retired and therefore could do things that he hadn’t had a chance to do for a long time, got out his fly fishing rod for the first time in 30 years. Bob ignored his efforts and cooked up a magnificent roast lamb and vegetables in the camp oven. Did anyone have a few sips – I don’t recall.
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Brian reliving his youth and the river at the campsite.
Day 4 – Back to Reality
After breakfast, Rowan took the main road (2WD) north to Myrtleford get back home by mid-afternoon. The rest of us branched off and followed the recently regraded road under the transmission lines east from Dandongadale, skirting around just below the southern end of the Mt Buffalo massif and then down the Goldie Spur Track to the Buckland Valley. We stopped at the Rail Track Café in Porepunkah and enjoyed a great meal before making our separate ways back to Melbourne and north to Sydney.
We all agreed that future trips needed the four days instead of three as in the past.
Congratulations to several of our LSAA members for their Awards and International recognition at the recent IFAI 2017 Expo.
MakMax, Fabritecture, Tensys Engineers and Wade Consulting were mentioned.
Houston’s Village Green was transformed in February into a vibrant “destination for play” with the completion of a new Catenary Lighting solution by Ronstan Tensile Architecture.
Discovery Green is a 12-acre park in the heart of downtown Houston, Texas that opened to the public in April 2008. The park was transformed from an undeveloped, concrete eyesore into a beautiful and vibrant destination adjacent to the George R. Brown Convention Centre re-defining the Houston downtown and instilling a new civic pride in the city. In preparation for the 2017 Super Bowl, the City of Houston chose a Ronstan Catenary Lighting System to create an open outdoor pedestrian area that would become “Super Bowl El Centro” and a focal point for the city’s Super Bowl related play activities.
At the 2016 LSAA Conference held at the Monash University of Art, Design and Architecture (MADA), Peter was presented with an Honorary Life Member trophy for his outstanding and long contribution to the LSAA. In particular Peter has been a driving force in the realization of the technical programs of many of our previous Conferences.
Peter Lim was presented with an LSAA Honorary Life Member trophy
At the 2016 LSAA Conference held at the Monash University of Art, Design and Architecture (MADA), Peter was presented with an Honorary Life Member trophy for his outstanding and long contribution to the LSAA.
In particular Peter has been a driving force in the realization of the technical programs of many of our previous Conferences.
HVG Fabrics announces new partnership for Australian distribution of Serge Ferrari flexible composite materials
[April 13 2016 Press Release]
Leading Australian industrial products distribution business HVG has announced that its HVG Fabrics division has been appointed the new Australian distributor of Serge Ferrari flexible composite materials.
Serge Ferrari S.A, a French company, has been manufacturing superior quality products for various applications (textile architecture, solar protection, acoustic solutions, yachting, light modular structures for industry, signage industry, indoor & outdoor furniture) since being founded in 1973. Serge Ferrari has progressively built an outstanding reputation as a global leader and innovator in Australia since the early 90’S.
The new distribution arrangement is expected to commence on 1st June 2016 once stocks arrive into HVG’s Australian capital city distribution centres.
HVG will be officially launching its distribution of Serge Ferrari at the Superexpo on the Gold Coast in June.
HVG Fabrics Business Manager Daniel Gollan commented, “The synergies and culture between both companies is obvious, with both of us focusing on the same key issues - quality products, class leading marketing collateral to build brand value and a strong desire to ensure solutions ‘fit for purpose’, first time every time.
I can assure existing Serge Ferrari users that we won’t let you down with large local stocks, our normal high levels of customer service, an expansion of our sales force and new sampling and marketing materials being developed to support the product.”
HVG CEO Bruce Rayment said, “Serge Ferrari is a great fit for HVG. Quality products, a great brand, a good extension of our existing fabrics product portfolio and complimentary to the rest of our business.”
Hervé Trellu Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing says “Serge Ferrari’s markets and product ranges are constantly growing and we have a strong ambition to develop our presence and sales in Australia.
I trust that together with HVG we will provide our customers with a high quality product range but also with an outstanding service level to develop their business.”
About Serge Ferrari
Serge Ferrari Group designs, makes and distributes high-tech eco-responsible flexible composite materials in a global market with an estimated medium-term value of €31 billion. The unique characteristics of these products make them ideal for technical applications in three fields: architecture, specialties for industry professionals, and composite membranes for the consumer market. The Group’s principal competitive advantage lies in its differentiating technology – Précontraint® - and its associated proprietary industrial know-how. The Group has three production sites: one in France and two in Switzerland. Serge Ferrari is present in 80 countries through four subsidiaries (in the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Brazil), 5 representative offices (in Spain, Turkey, China, Singapore and Dubai) and a network of more than 100 distributors. At the end of 2015, Serge Ferrari posted consolidated revenue of €148,4 million of which 75% was achieved outside France. The company Serge Ferrari Group is listed on Euronext Paris – Compartment C (ISIN code: FR0011950682). The Serge Ferrari Group share is eligible for PEA-SME and FCPI Investment. Serge Ferrari Group is listed on Euronext Paris - – Compartment C (ISIN code: FR0011950682). The Serge Ferrari Group share is eligible for PEA-SME and FCPI Investment.
For more information on Serge Ferrari visit www.sergeferrari.com
Serge Ferrari are also the Platinum Sposors for LSAA 2016 Conference in Melbourne
About HVG
HVG (Halifax Vogel Group) is a privately owned Australian company that imports and distributes a diverse and complementary range of market-leading products throughout Australia. Formed in 1988 and with a history that dates back to the 1950s, HVG has gone from strength to strength and today has a team of more than 180 staff. Continued growth in size and scope to handle new products and services has seen HVG establish a network of distribution centres with over 26,000 square metres of warehouse and office space in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth.
For more information on HVG visit www.hvg.net.au
Easy Release 2016
Our new Easy Relase 2016 will launch in November, it includes improvements and adds new features. A new licensing file will be required for the new version which will be sent automatically by email to all customers with a software maintenance contract.
Easy 2016 highlights:
- Easy Taylor - graphical editor for processing flattened cutting patterns, easier setting of compensation values. Seam and boundary allowance with welding marks and appropriate overlapping. Persistent points facilitate the merging of different netparts. Visual and numerical check of the cutting quality.
64 bit version - Easy Release 2016 supports the 64-bit technology. Now it is possible to access more than 4GB RAM. With the appropriate hardware and a 64-bit operation system even larger projects can be handled.
Technet has been a member of LSAA
29 October 2013 - Aurecon’s experts will share insights and thinking on sustainable design at the upcoming Lightweight Structures Association of Australasia (LSAA) Conference and Design Awards, 13 – 15 November 2013.
The bi – annual event will be held in Auckland, New Zealand, and will focus on the theme of ‘Touching the Earth Lightly’.
Chaired by LSAA President and our Building Structures Leader, Dr Kourosh Kayvani, Aurecon’s Peter Murenu and Stephen Hogg will present papers on our recent and ongoing project work in Melbourne and Christchurch.
For more details including an interview by Kourosh see original article HERE
LSAA Member MakMax makes major progress at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium roof in Delhi, India.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS) was originally built in 1982 in honour of India's first Prime Minister. Mr. Nehru is credited as the founder of modern India through political and social reform. In preparation for the upcoming 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi this facility is receiving a dramatic update. The crowning achievement to the stadium's rebirth will be the tensile membrane roof, supported by a vast cable net. MakMax was awarded the contract to supply and install an ambitious fabric and cable roof design, the structure is now near completion with 50 of the 88 fabric panels installed. Schlaich Bergermann & Partners are the structural engineers.
Membrane Project Finder
The world´s first Membrane Project Finder povides powerful knowledge of the Formfinder Development Group at the Technical University in Vienna. The huge database on membrane buildings includes drawings, images and complete project descriptions to access the relevant design decision information.
The next step is to open the database also for Formfinder Light users and to integrate the 350 KG (yes, Kilogramm) data collected by Professor Vinzenz Sedlak of Sydney Australia.
(Vinzenz established the MSAA and hence the LSAA in Sydney and was its President for many years).
Thousands of slides have already been scanned in and are currently prepeared for publication.
Rockhampton Southside Memorial Pool
MakMax Australia are proud to announce the award of a contract for part of the redevelopment of Rockhampton’s landmark Southside Memorial Pool.
The $17M Federal, State and Regional Council funded project will feature a 4,000 square metre tensile membrane roof over the main 50 metre pool manufactured and installed by Brisbane based MakMax.
Partnering with Brisbane’s Liquid Blu Architects and Rockhampton builder JM Kelly (Project Builders) Pty Ltd, MakMax will manufacture the Architectural Membrane roof using Serge Ferrari PVC (Poly-Vinyl Chloride) which has been supplied by local fabric distributor, Innova. The roof will provide both shade and rain protection over the 50m pool and 650 seat grandstand. Fabrication of the membrane is scheduled to take place at our Brisbane facility later this year with installation of steelwork scheduled for January 2013 and membrane to follow.
Gold Coast Stadium Redevelopment
MakMax has been awarded the fabric roofing contract for the $144.2 million Gold Coast Stadium Redevelopment at Carrara, Queensland. The Queensland Government led Gold Coast Stadium project is managed by WATPAC and supported by the Commonwealth Government, the Gold Coast City Council and the AFL.
The stadium will boast a PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) glass fibre membrane roof that will span a total of 16,600 square metres providing cover for the East, West and Southern perimeter of the structure.
Rowan Murray Nominated as a Life Member at the LSAA Conference in New Zealand.
The intention to nominate Rowan Murray as a Life Member was announced by Dr Kourosh Kayvani at the LSAA Conference in New Zealand. I am pleased to report that this was ratified at the 2013 AGM.
Rowan has acted tirelessly over an extended period of time in his role as Secretary of the LSAA and without his dedication, cheerfulness and follow up skills many of the meetings may not have happened. Minutes and other notices were always kept up to date. Well done and well deserved Rowan!
The LSAA recently (2015) tendered for the SunSmart project dealing with the development of design guidelines and other documents to address aspects of shade structures using shadecloth.
Unfortunately, we were not selected for the project even though our intimate involvement in shade cloth structures goes back nearly 30 years. There are several issues that are affecting the industry recently.
Many of these issues have been highlighted by several recent accidents involving shade structures. A fatal accident in SA with several young people trespassing onto a shade structure leading to its collapse was studied by the SA Coroner who concluded, in part, that there is a lack of suitable design standards.
LSAA Previous President in Top 100 Engineers
Our Previous President, Dr Kourosh Kayvani, Aurecon’s (formerly Connell Wagner) special structures leader for the Asia Pacific zone has been recognised in this year’s Engineers Australia Top 100 list of most influential engineers. (2015)
The annual list appears in the June edition of Engineers Australia magazine and recognises Australian engineers who have had leading influence in industry, consulting, academia, politics and public service.
“I am honoured to be included in such a list of eminent peers in Australia,” Kourosh said.
LSAA 2007 Keynote Speaker, Chris Bosse - a director of Laboratory For Visionary Architecture (LAVA) and Designsport and local Ethiopian firm JDAW have together won the international architecture competition for a new FIFA and Olympic-standard 60,000 seat stadium in Addis Ababa.
It is proposed to have a decorated tensile fabric roof and construction is due to commence in 2014.
A link to further information HERE
