Following our previous works to the Lords Grandstand louvre blinds, we were approached to replace some tired ETFE cushions with a cost effective substitute. We were happy to assist and advised a bespoke solution for the new roof-lights to the grandstand which were in great need of improvement.
We developed a roof-light scheme that comprised of a series of polycarbonate roof light panels allowing natural light through whilst still providing thermal and weather protection. Importantly, for sporting arenas such as Lords, the specialist matt finish (Softlite) on the polycarbonate suppressed glare and ensures maximum visual comfort. We designed, supplied and installed the roof-light panels, sub frames and associated fixings.
Our brief was to install a series of commercial fabric canopies to the payment kiosks at the London Eye as well as the coffee shop.
These tensile structures provide shelter and sun shade whilst adding a dynamic visual attraction to this busy tourist area.
During the London 2012 Games the various shooting events took place at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich. This historic location has one small problem when it comes to clay pigeon shooting however; it is surrounded by main roads and residential streets, not to mention the barracks themselves which remain fully operational throughout The Games. To comply with safety regulations a towering screen had to be erected to stop stray lead pellets from raining down on nearby homes.
Measuring 334 metres long and over 24 metres high, the green PVC mesh was capable of catching the stray shot to ensure the safety of the local residents. We just hope that the local pigeon population didn’t stray onto the wrong side of the screen as they fluttered past.
Kensington Palace has been a royal residence since the 17th century, most recently being called home by newly weds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when staying in London. Their crash-pad in the capital has recently undergone a major £12 million renovation, overseen by the Historic Royal Palaces Trust and co-ordinated by architects John Simpsons and Partners. This lavish refurbishment is not for the sole benefit of the nation’s favourite couple however – since the Palace reopened in 2012, 50% of the building is accessible to the visiting public, allowing a privileged insight into the daily life of the royal family past and present.
Base Structures created and installed a striped, four sided pyramidal canopy complete with pelmets on all four sides and large decorative tassels, suspended ten metres above the floor. The canopy is intended to provide a regal flourish to the visitor entrance and it certainly delivers, the royal appearance being enhanced by using a material called Diaposon, a man made fabric extremely similar to silk.
Visitors can now enter the palace and purchase tickets in the White Court Courtyard, once an open area but now enclosed with a glazed, steel framed roof.
Jan Blake asked us to manufacture these silk fabric sculptures which she had designed for her client. The hand painted silk sculptures provide a relevant and symbolic feature for visitors to the offices and are a dynamic use of interior space.
We manufactured the ten sculptures which involved patterning the fabric and attaching the fabric to steel frames. Jan then painted the artwork directly onto them.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in Fulham Road, London, wanted to transform a new patient seating area into a comforting space which has a private and cocooned feel. To do this, Base needed to complete a suspended lighting rig that could also carry privacy screening into the seating area within the heart of the hospital.
Base were employed to design, manufacture and install the fabric sails and lighting. We could not suspend anything directly from above the seating area and so we had to use tension cables which were rigged horizontally to fix tubular steel frames within a spider’s web of tensioned steel cables. These steel frames allowed us to form a geometric grid within the space, into which we could suspend a series of Hypar feature sails. The spaces between the sails were then used to incorporate the lighting assemblies.
The fabric sails create a contemporary yet comforting feel in the seating area and brighten up the heart of the hospital.
Our brief from was to develop an interior fabric ceiling system that would improve the customers experience within the station. The scheme was required to meet very stringent fire specifications which were achieved by the use of Sky 300, a silicone glass fabric developed by Ferrari.
Our scope of works included designing, manufacturing and installing the scheme, including the silicon glass fabric and wide angle up lighters. This was an intricate installation because all of the components had to be installed during night shifts, without the aid of plant and working over the railway concourse.
The ceiling has transformed the ambiance of the station from dull and dingy to bright and welcoming.
Designers MC Squared asked us to design, manufacture and install two canopies located at the 02 Arena for their client Brandwidth. One tensile canopy consisted of an inverted cone fitted to the underside of the existing services towers. The other was a freestanding conical canopy supported on a central mast and perimeter tripods.
Our scope of works included the membranes, supporting steel and fittings including the cables to support climbing ivy.
The transformation of the service tower was visually dramatic and enhanced the very popular venue. The client went on to propose additional structures on the site and at other venues.
At the Bezier development in Old St London, Tudorvale developments wanted to work with us to deliver a brand new, state of the art sports facility for the local community. The multi-use games area is primarily a five-a-side football court, but is also suitable for other activities such as netball. The MUGA is used by the local school on a daily basis and a requisite of the specification was for all weather use to be available.
Whilst the high tech synthetic pitch materiel takes care of business down below, the translucency afforded by the Verseidag tensile fabric enables best use of external light. To top things off, the high spec 100% PVDF lacquer provides maximum protection for the PVC fabric from the airborne pollution emanating from the busy inner ring road nearby.
On what was a congested site run to a tight program, Base Structures customer focussed approach ensured that the large steel members were installed promptly and with minimum disruption to the rest of the site. Coordination with other trades was a premium marker on this project, as Tudorvale’s Jon Thompson comments:
“I would highly recommend Base. The Bezier project was a success for all concerned. Base were a pleasure to work with. Always helpful. No politics or mind games. Just straight talking advice, which you know is backed by years of experience.”
Battersea’s Power Station is an iconic Grade II* listed building which is being brought back to life along with regeneration its surrounding areas. Included in this exciting and innovative redevelopment is the Archlight Cinema, a small independent picture house. In keeping with the boutique feel, Arc Cinema Solutions Ltd approached Base Structures to dress the exterior of their premises.
Base designed, manufactured and installed three main canopies & two infill canopies over each of the railway arch cinema entrances.
Due to the nature of the arches’ structure, there were several design challenges that required overcoming due to construction constraints imposed by Network Rail. As well as a requirement for the canopies to be demount-able at short notice, these also included how to physically link the three fabric arches to the ageing Victorian brickwork. Several designs were developed and considered to meet both the client’s brief and satisfy the challenging conditions.
Programme was another significant consideration. Archlight were primed to open, but without an entrance canopy solution. With Base engaged, we were eager to identify and develop a proposal which both fulfilled the technical criteria and visually impress.
in Bristol
