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

Large Fabric Structures

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.


 

Cabramatta Lawn Bowls Club Sun Protection Roof - During Construction
Cabramatta Lawn Bowls Club Sun Protection Roof - During Construction

LSAA 2013 Design Award Entry (#4301): Cabramatta Bowls Club

Entrant: MakMax Australia

  • Category: 4 ID Number:  4301
  • Location: Fairfield Rd, Cabramatta NSW
  • Client: Paynter Dixon Constructions Pty Ltd
  • Completion Date: October 2011

APPLICATION OF PROJECT: Long span sporting arena roof.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Sun safety in sport is a growing concern across all sectors of our community. Providing a playing surface protected from harmful sun is vital to the continuity of some sports. The sport of lawn bowls in particular have realised this is especially true for their aging demographic and shrinking membership.


View of the new Fabric Roof covering the Bowling Greens
View of the new Fabric Roof covering the Bowling Greens

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Hamilton Workingman’s Club Canopy

Hamilton Workingmen's Club was established in 1955, and in the last two decades has experienced significant growth with more than 7000 members, to become one of the Premier Clubs in New Zealand. Infrastructure development is important to both the club and community, and over the years the club has invested in maintaining and elevating their amenities. Fabric Structures was engaged to design, fabricate, and install a new partial enclosure over the green at the Hamilton Workingmen's Club. This project aimed to provide a versatile, weather-resistant space for club members and visitors, enhancing the usability of the green throughout the year.

View of Pacific Fair Resort Roof
View of Pacific Fair Resort Roof

 

Pacific Fair Resort Roof - Entered into the LSAA 2016 Design Awards (Cat 4, Large Fabric Structures #4114)

Entrant: Fabritecture (Designer and Installer)

Location: The Esplanade.   Completed: 2016

Client: Scentre Group (Westfield)

Team:  Scentre Group (Westfield), Wade Design, Textile Fabrication Services, Fabritecture 

 Application

Statement architectural fabric structure with complex steel geometry and state-of-the-art LED lighting system as part of a $670 million redevelopment of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast.

Brisbane Airport Walkway - New Roof Details
Brisbane Airport Walkway - New Roof Details

 

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.

Brisbane Airport Walkway - 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.

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


Playford Bowls Club Triple Green Roof Cover
Playford Bowls Club Triple Green Roof Cover

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: Playford Bowls Club Triple Green Roof Cover

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.

Memorial Drive Tennis Centre Canopy (Credit Peter Barnes)
Memorial Drive Tennis Centre Canopy (Credit Peter Barnes)

LSAA 2022 Plaques 0008

APPLICATION OF PROJECT:      
Tennis stadium roof

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Memorial Drive Tennis Redevelopment Project was tasked with ensuring the future configuration of the Adelaide Tennis Centre complex met South Australia’s sporting and entertainment needs. Stage One of the project called for a redevelopment of all the court surfaces (over 30 new court surfaces in a mixture of Pluxicushion, grass and clay built to International Tennis Federation (ITF) standards), construction of a new sunken show court, player shelters and landscaping, and crowning the project, a 5800m2 lightweight tensile membrane roof to cover the existing centre court and spectator stands.

An example of close-knit collaboration between Tennis SA, COX Architecture, MakMax Australia and local Adelaide construction firm Kennett Builders, the completion of the Memorial Drive Redevelopment Project Stage One set the scene for an exciting summer of tennis in early 2020. The most eye-catching element of the project is the 5800m2PTFE membrane roof that protects patrons in the permanent and temporary movable seating areas, as well as covering the corporate function event areas installed around the centre court for major tournaments.


Arizona State University – Skysong Signature Structure
Skysong Signature Structure - Details

 

LSAA 2009 Design Award Entry: Arizona State University – Skysong Signature Structure

Entrant: Atkins Fabrication (Aust) Pty Ltd – Fabricator
Location: Arizona State University – USA
Client: USA Shade & Fabric Structures Inc.
Struct. Eng.: Wade Engineering
Fabricator: Atkins Fabrication (Australia) Pty Ltd

This project was entered in the LSAA 2009 Design Awards, Category 3.

Arizona State University – The Skysong Signature Structure is an excellent example of freeform tensile fabric architecture fabricated by Atkins.

No further details have been entered for this project


 

Mooloolaba Bowls Club - New Fabric Roof
Mooloolaba Bowls Club - New Fabric Roof

 

LSAA Design Awards 2013 High Commendation (Large Structures, 4351)

Entrant: Light Weight Structures

  • Location: Mooloolaba
  • Client: Mooloolaba Bowls Club
  • Completion Date: November 2011

Judges Comments:

"An elegant project - the best of the bowling club offerings. As well as taking care of core business, the structure lends some design distinction to a town not oversupplied with architectural gems."