• This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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.

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


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.

4432-18
4432-17
4432-16
4432-15
4432-14
4432-13
4432-12
4432-11
4432-10
4432-09
4432-08
4432-07
4432-06
4432-05
4432-04
4432-03
4432-01
4432-02

Radome
Radome

 

Entered in the LSAA 2007 Design Awards (Cat 3, 3003)

Entrant: Taiyo Membrane Corp

Client: Bureau of Meterology     Architect: Taiyo Membrane Corporation
Structural Engineer: Michael Lester (TMC)   Builder: OZRIG
Fabricator(s): Taiyo Membrane Corp

Application and Function:

Air supported structure over a radar antennae to monitor weather for the Bureau of Meterology. The structure is air supported in order to allow for minimal interference with the antennae.

LSAADA2007Cat3254
LSAADA2007Cat3252
LSAADA2007Cat3253
LSAADA2007Cat3254
LSAADA2007Cat3252
LSAADA2007Cat3253

Daytime aerial shot of the ETFE pneumatic cushions
Yogyakarta International Airport, Indonesia (2021 DA)

APPLICATION OF PROJECT

Airport terminal drop off area roof

The New Yogyakarta International Airport (NYIA) Description

The new Yogyakarta International Airport (NYIA) at Kulon Progo Regency, serves the Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia, and is operated by Ankasa Pura. As part of the airport development, Fabritecture was contracted for the design & supply of ETFE pneumatic roofing as well as supply system and ducting.

The ETFE component of the roof comprises 84 2-layer cushions covers a plan area of approximately 14,314m2 and is part of an overall canopy integrating polycarbonate elements also, overall providing 18,900m2 of weather cover the exterior drop-off area.

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.

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.

4431-17
4431-09
4431-04
4431-03
4431-02
4431-01
4431-22
4431-21
4431-20
4431-18
4431-16
4431-15
4431-14
4431-13
4431-12
4431-11
4431-10
4431-08
4431-06
4431-05

Macquarie University Campus Dining Room
Macquarie University Campus Dining Room Project (2018)

 

Application: Container-mounted architectural structures for university dining hall.

This project was entered in the LSAA 2018 Design Awards (Cat 4, 4001)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Macquarie University Campus Common project comprised of the design & construction of a series of 11 container-mounted architectural awnings to cover a new temporary dining area for students. The design involved 6 market structures, 1 larger 30m x 30m ‘main’ structure, and 4 awning structures. The main structure was required to have an internal environmental control system for temperature regulation inside.

The intention of the temporary solution meant that the design allows for the structures to be easily dismantled and relocated in 5 years.

400104
400103
400102
400101
400111
400110
400109
400108
400107
400106
400105

Photo Credit: Michael Anderson, Paramount Studios

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.

406601
406611
406610
406609
406608
406607
406606
406605
406604
406603
406602

The Farm - Anish Kapoor
The Farm - Anish Kapoor

 

Entered into the 2009 LSAA Design Awards, Category 4 (4022)

Entrant: Structurflex Ltd - Engineering Fabrication Installation
Location: Kaipara Harbour
Client: Keystone Trust
Architect: Noel Lane Architects
Struct. Eng.: Structure Design & Compusoft Engineering
Builder: Grayson Engineering
Fabricator: Structurflex

No further details have been entered for this project at this stage.

LSAADA2009Cat4683
LSAADA2009Cat4684
LSAADA2009Cat4681
LSAADA2009Cat4686
LSAADA2009Cat4685
LSAADA2009Cat4690
LSAADA2009Cat4678
LSAADA2009Cat4677
LSAADA2009Cat4675
LSAADA2009Cat4676
LSAADA2009Cat4689
LSAADA2009Cat4688
LSAADA2009Cat4687
LSAADA2009Cat4682
LSAADA2009Cat4680
LSAADA2009Cat4679
.

Auckland Zoo Aviaries
Auckland Cablenet Zoo Aviaries Enclosures

 

LSAA 2011 Design Award Entry: Fabric Structure Systems - Auckland Cablenet Zoo Aviaries 

APPLICATION OF PROJECT 

As part of a major upgrade to Auckland Zoo, Fabric Structure Systems built four new aviaries to accommodate different New Zealand bird & animal species.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Thirteen years in the planning and almost four years in the design and building, Te Wao Nui is Auckland Zoo’s most significant project in its eighty-eight-year history. Covering more than 20 percent of the zoo’s seventeen hectares, the exhibit showcases New Zealand species in their natural environment.

LSAA2011DA432208
LSAA2011DA432207
LSAA2011DA432206
LSAA2011DA432205
LSAA2011DA432204
LSAA2011DA432202
LSAA2011DA432203
LSAA2011DA432200
LSAA2011DA432201
LSAA2011DA432213
LSAA2011DA432214
LSAA2011DA432211
LSAA2011DA432212
LSAA2011DA432209
LSAA2011DA432210

Marassi Beach Resort, Egypt
Marassi Beach Resort, Egypt

 

LSAA 2011 Design Award Entry (3185)

APPLICATION OF PROJECT:

Shading systems: The Marassi beach Clubhouse, resort villas, and spas required a large range of shading systems.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Marassi is a Mediterranean‐styled resort development sprawling across 1,544 acres of pristine waterfront. Situated along the magical shores of Sidi Abdul Rahman bay, the resort is close to Alexandria and a few miles away from the historic city of El Alamein.

LSAA2011DA318503
LSAA2011DA318501
LSAA2011DA318500
LSAA2011DA318505
LSAA2011DA318504
LSAA2011DA318502