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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.

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


 

Queensland State Velodrome - Interior View of Roof
Queensland State Velodrome - Interior View of Roof

 

Queensland State Velodrome Roof Project - 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


Interior shot of Ken Rosewall Arena (photo credit: COX Architecture)
Interior shot of Ken Rosewall Arena (photo credit: COX Architecture)

The Ken Rosewall Arena Description

The Ken Rosewall Arena project is a redevelopment project for the original stadium which was constructed in 2000 for the Sydney Olympic Games. The project included the installation of an innovative cable-tension and PTFE fabric design roof. The striking new roof is the first of its kind for stadia in Australia. The redevelopment has transformed the venue into a multi-purpose outdoor covered arena with new and upgraded facilities. The arena now operates as a multi-purpose venue, including tennis and netball, and is home to the Sydney Giants.

DESIGN / FABRICATION / INSTALLATION BRIEF

The Ken Rosewall Arena redevelopment project aimed to transform the existing tennis arena from an open-air venue into a multi-purpose indoor arena. The idea behind the roof was to allow the venue to operate unaffected by environmental impacts such as extreme heat, wind, and rain. The client requested a solution that could transform the venue into a multi-purpose outdoor covered arena with upsized in-stadia videoboards, new seating, and shade for 10,000 spectators.

Chevron Renaissance Fabric Roof Canopy - View from above
Chevron Renaissance Fabric Roof Canopy - View from above

Chevron Renaissance Project Entered into the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Cat 4 Large Fabric Structures, #4773)

Entrant: MakMax Australia (Engineer, Fabricator, Installer)

Location: Gold Coast, QLD.   Team: MakMax Australia

Application: Retail Shopping Centre

Marrara Tennis Centre Fabric Roof - Aerial View
Marrara Tennis Centre Fabric Roof - Aerial View

 

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.

Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC) - View of Mast and Cone from Below
Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC) - View of Mast and Cone from Below

 

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.

QUT Sports Field Car Park Project
QUT Sports Field Car Park Project

 

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.

Marassi Beach Resort, Egypt
Shade Sails - 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 Beach Resort

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.

The Link at Chadstone - External View
The Link at Chadstone - External View

LSAA 2022 Plaques 0001

APPLICATION OF PROJECT:      

The Link Chadstone is a covered walkway between Chadstone shopping Centre and Hotel Chadstone Melbourne.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Link Covered Walkway

The Link walkway in Chadstone is a visually stunning fabric-over-glulam structure that provides easy covered access for patrons between the Chadstone Shopping Centre and Hotel Chadstone Melbourne.

Commissioned by leading Australian real estate investment trust Vicinity Centres, and completed in October 2019, The Link is a 100m arched walkway that soars up to 15m above the pedestrian zone and is covered with 1750m2 of high-translucency THV-coated PTFE fabric.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre - Laminated Timber Arches, ETFE Pillows
Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre - Laminated Timber Arches, ETFE Pillows

Entered into the LSAA 2011 Awards (Cat 4, 4610)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION - Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre

Sheltered below an innovative woven timber canopy, new amenities for visitors to the Waitomo Caves includes tourist gathering areas, 250-seat dining, retail, seminar and exhibition areas as well as a café and theatre for Tourism Holdings Ltd (Fig.1). (Note: These Figures / drawings are not available)

The cave entrance is accessed from the car park on the upper path while a lower path returns the visitors back alongside the stream exit (Fig. 2). Between these paths the amenities were accommodated within a simple base structure that extended the contours of the land (Fig. 3). The form of the base is distinguished and separate from the curved geometry of the overhead canopy.