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For the LSAA, Large fabric structures have generally been thought of as those that have a fabric surface area greater than 1000 square metres. These structures may be described as single surfaces or panels in the form of one of the classic hypars, barrel vaults, cones, panels with single or crossing arches - or a combination.

Larger fabric structures can also be made from several modules or panels of similar forms to build up a substantial sized structure. The multiple panels might be arranged in a linear layout, or in a circular or oval pattern commonly found in stadia roofs.  The boundaries are defined structurally and geometrically by straight or curved elements such as arches, edge beams and cables. The prestress forces from adjacent panels often counterbalance and the more efficient structures have a larger degree of symmetry and continuity such as a complete "bicycle wheel" for the roof a major sports stadium. Stadiums are grouped in a separate menu item.

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The following articles are in random order. As of May 2025 we have about 47 projects listed displayed 10 per page.


Marrara Tennis Centre Fabric Roof
Marrara Tennis Centre Fabric Roof Project (2018)

 

This project was entered in the LSAA 2018 Design Awards (Cat 4 Large Fabric Structures, #4431)

Application: 2 roof canopies for tennis courts – one to cover the synthetic show court and stadium seating; and one to cover another synthetic multipurpose court.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The project involved design, fabrication and installation of 2 fabric roof structures at the Marrara Tennis Centre (now Darwin International Tennis Centre) – one weatherproof shelter to cover the Main Show Court and its associated seating; and another protective shade shelter over a multi-purpose court. The project had a total plan covered area of over 3,750m2 with Mehler FR1000N being used on the Main Court and Gale Commercial Heavy 430 on the Multipurpose Court.

The main show court is a long spanning roof, covering a 60m x 50m space. Given the cyclonic location, this presented additional design challenges throughout the project.

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Mehler Coated Technical Textiles supplied large quantities of coated fabric for the 2015 Milan Expo.

The major application was for sun shading the two main axes of the Expo. The 85,000 sqm of fabric was essentially planar rectangular panels attached to opposing valley and ridge cables.

One important concept behind the simple forms was the re-use of the fabric following the Expo.

Other projects included:

  • Iranian Pavillion (2,500 sqm)
  • Ferreo Pavillion (1,600 sqm)
  • Institution Bologna Pavillion (4,500 sqm)
  • Tent at the entrance (6,000 sqm)

For further details see HERE

Brisbane Airport Walkway
Brisbane Airport Walkway

 
This project was entered in the 2013 LSAA Design Awards

Entrant: MakMax Australia

  • Category: 4  ID Number:  #4302

  • Location: Brisbane Domestic Airport

  • Client: Brisbane Airport Corporation

  • Completion Date: June 2012

APPLICATION OF PROJECT: Pedestrian bridge roof, open air.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

This airport terminal access project involves the construction of a major pedestrian bridge linking a new multi-level car park and train platforms to the terminal building one of the country’s business airports.

This covered walkway project is part of a larger group of construction projects which serve to improve all pedestrian and vehicular traffic at the airport.

Our client requested design, fabrication and installation of the tensioned membrane roof system. The purpose was purely weather protection for pedestrian traffic on new pedestrian access bridge.

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QUT Sports Field Car Park Project
QUT Sports Field Car Park Project (2018)

 

Application: Sports stadium on top of a multi-level car park

This project was entered in the LSAA 2018 Design Awards (Cat 4 Large Fabric Structures, #4066)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Sportsfield Car Park project was part of the construction of a $27 million multi-story car park at the QUT Kelvin Grove campus in Brisbane. The roof-level is home to a FIFA accredited sports field, developed as part of the long-term expansion plans for the University.

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Sportsfield Car Park features a FIFA-accredited sports field on the roof of the AUD$27 million multi-level car park. This unique project included the design and construction of the steel, PTFE fabric membrane, fall arrest mesh, static line and score board.

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Playford Bowls Club Triple Green Roof Cover
Playford Bowls Club Triple Green Roof Cover Project (2018)

 

This project was entered in the LSAA 2018 Design Awards (Cat 4 Large Fabric Structures, #4432) by MakMax

Application: Cover over 3 adjacent bowling greens at the Playford City Bowls club, South Australia.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The design, fabrication and installation of the largest tensile membrane canopy structure over a bowling green in the Southern Hemisphere. The 5300m2 PVC (Mehler FR900N) structure covers a total of 21 rinks (120m length), lit with state of the art LED sports lighting, allowing year round utilization of the bowling green’s irrespective of the weather conditions. In addition to bowls, the venue is also used to host corporate and social events.

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Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC)
Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC)

 

LSAA 2007 Design Award Entry (Cat 3, 3002)

Entrant: Taiyo Membrane Corp (Later as MakMax in Australia)

Client: Major Projects Australia      Architect: Peddle Thorpe Architects
Structural Engineer: Xiang Du (TMC) & Connell Mott McDonald
Specialist Consultant(s): Connell Wagner (steel design)
Builder: John Holland Pty Ltd

Application and Function:

Designed to be suitable both during and after major events, the roof has been designed in two sections.
Section one is a permanent roof made from PTFE fabric.  This roof covers the pool as well as stadium seating for 3,000 spectators.  Section two extends the roof for “Commonwealth Games” mode.
Two temporary PVC roofs are erected either side of the permanent roof to cover a further 8,000 seats. The temporary structures create a festive effect with their high pitches and large sloping support columns.

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Wellington Bowling Club Greens Cover
Wellington Bowling Club Greens Cover Project (2018)

 

Award of Excellence LSAA 2018 Design Awards Large Structures (Cat 4, 4101)

Application: Bowling green tensile membrane roof

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The overall project was specifically conceived and designed to provide a community meeting point to focus and reinvigorate the residents of a depressed suburb which had been in steady decline for more than 30 years. Many residents of this suburb are elderly and due to transportation access and costs seldom left their homes, hence social integration and community interaction was poor. The additional aim of the project was to have the elderly and young be involved in community based sports and activities to invigorate, inspire and bond fellow citizens.

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Whitten Oval Project - Aerial View
Whitten Oval Project - Aerial View

2024 LSAA Design Awards Entry Whitten Oval Project

IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 

3864

ENTRY CATEGORY (1-6)

3 Large Structures

ALTERNATE CATEGORY (1-6)

ENTRANT ROLE

Design / Engineer / Fabrication / Installation

PROJECT NAME:

Whitten Oval Indoor Training Facility

APPLICATION OF PROJECT:

Tensile Membrane Roof integrated into a solid-wall building.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Whitten Oval Project

Whitten Oval Indoor Training Facility is an example of modern architectural materials incorporated into a high-performance sporting facility. A fully enclosed 50m x 35m building with a tensile membrane roof, rarity in Australia, the facility sets new standards for design innovation and functionality.

HighComm Large Whitten

The multi-purpose indoor training facility, with its high-translucency PTFE fabric roof allows natural daylight into the indoor field, providing a lighting level much brighter than a traditional building with internal lights.

Queensland State Velodrome
Queensland State Velodrome

 

Entered in the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Cat 4 Large Fabric Structures, 4771)

Entrant: MakMax Australia (Engineer, Fabricator, Installer)

Location: Sleeman Sports Complex, Brisbane.   Completed: August 2016  Client: Watpac
Team: Cox Rayner Architects, Tensys, Arup, MakMax Australia

Application: Cycling Velodrome / indoor stadium

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