Hertz pre-eminent facility at Heathrow required a dramatic tensile fabric canopy to stand out from the ordinary and provide effective and well lit cover for returning cars and vehicle inspection.
We provided a clean weather proof environment for Hertz customers to return vehicles through this tensile canopy. The lighting incorporated within the structure allows Hertz employees to inspect the vehicles quickly and efficiently with minimum delay or disruption to the customers.
Our brief was to install this unique courtyard fabric canopy as a feature to the Heath Hospital in Cardiff. This tensile structure combines design with functionality, providing shelter for the walkways whilst being an excellent and dramatic use of space. Our scope of works included the design, manufacture and installation of the fabric canopy itself as well as the supporting steel structure, handrails, ballustrade, decking and associated fittings.
This was a challenging project. All the components had to be able to be manhandled so they could be carried through the hospital, as this was the only access to the courtyard. This had a big impact on the design which had to be very carefully considered in order to make sure all the requirement of the CDM regulations were achieved. All parties are very pleased with the results of this project and the structure has been a great success.
Often in our work functionality drives a design brief, yet we strive to keep creativity and innovation at the heart of every structure. Our brief was to build a sheltered walkway canopy and impressive dramatic architectural feature for the East End connector terminal at the airport.
We designed, manufactured and installed a barrel vault canopy that gently undulates over the length of the walkway below. It is tensioned by tie-rod catenary cables with huge elliptical steel arches locking it in place. They seem to reach up out of the ground like the arms of giants holding a large umbrella over the customer’s heads.
The tongue- in-cheek landing strip lighting design seemed the appropriate way to guide the airport users from A to B when dusk fell.
It was a successful installation taking just four weeks in total. BAA are delighted with the canopy and are considering further fabric projects at the airport.
Our clients brief was to install a tensile fabric structure for the new entrance and Grandstand at Glamorgan County Cricket Club. Measuring at 90 meters in length and 9 meters wide, the fabric structure provides an attractive shaded area for the new stadium development.
We designed, manufactured and installed the PVC structure and all associated fittings onto a steel frame that was erected by others. All parties were extremely pleased with the structure and the service we provided.
The canopies stand proud and look fantastic welcoming spectators into the cricket club.
Perched on a Devonian escarpment in Salcombe overlooking the English Channel, this very small but distinctly elegant new cafe installation provides a welcome bolthole for walkers and the more adventurous among us from the extremes of our summer and winter weather.
The canopy is attached to a single continuous wall by a perforated stretch CS Trevira closer detail which ensures the fuggy mix of steam from the water burco’s and body heat from the trail walkers and mountain bikers does not condense and cause a damp atmosphere inside.
The often stiff incoming sea breeze which accelerates upwards over the rising escarpment can be the cause of large deflections in the canopy. This flexible closer detail allows the tensioned canopy and membrane plates to move freely on their spigot / boss attachments which can be seen on the protruding timber truss end caps, thereby ensuring the integrity of the overall structure is never compromised.
The moss green coloured PVC twin cone canopy sails over the top of the timber wall, which cleverly spirals inwards attracting the customer inside through a broad welcoming doorway.
A new sports complex situated in Fynshav, Denmark wanted to add interest to their roof through seven PVC triple conic roof structures, each measuring from 4.5m x 5m to 7m x 7.5m. Each of these were to consist of a traditional upright multi-conic canopy with a mirrored inverted multi-conic hanging from the underside so that the wow-factor would continue into the entrance lobby.
The innovative forms consist of a series of multi-conic membranes whose head-rings are spread apart by flying struts. Reinforced circular openings in the membrane reveal the engineered cable system that suspends the telescoping masts that brace the structure. Tensioning of the two opposing skins was achieved through use of the cable suspended masts linking between the mirrored headrings. Achieving a correctly balanced load between inner and outer cones is the only way to ensure the perfect wrinkle-free appearance of both membranes.
The hyperbolic fabric wall panels fill the void between the conic roofing structures and the timber walls of the building, providing enhanced natural lighting inside the entrance hall to the school’s sports complex. All installation of the steelwork and fabric was undertaken by our in-house installation team who were on-site in Denmark for just four weeks.
Architects Douglas Wallace were keen to provide a keynote feature for the brand new Fresh retail stores being launched in Dublin.
We designed, manufactured and installed the fabric cones, supporting steel frame and associated fittings. Similar feature tensile canopies were installed in a further two retail stores in the city.
The tensile fabric cones create an elegant cafe culture feel to this unique food store, setting them apart from the competition. By uplighting the fabric canopies a soft reflected light illuminates the produce as well as providing visibility from the street.
Bristol City Council required a new playground shade canopy for Fairfield School in Ashley Down, at its original site prior to the schools relocation the following year.
A canopy was designed and constructed with its relocation to the new site as a part of the overall works package. Base Structures scope of works included the design and construction of both the canopy and its supporting foundations. This steel framed structure has a 100% PVDF lacquered PVC membrane.
All works are now complete and the images show the canopy in its final location.
Set in a disused quarry, Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) is Europe’s largest indoor climbing arena with more than 300 potential climbing routes and a world famous aerial assault course suspended 30 metres above the ground. The quarry is enclosed by a vast tensile fabric roof which had reached the end of its life span, so Base were called in to design, fabricate and install a replacement roof to ensure the climbing centre could continue to operate at the highest level, suitable for international climbing competitions.
Base specified an upgraded modern fabric, Mehler TF 400 Crystal, to replace the existing. With 40% translucency and a higher tensile strength for added durability the new fabric would ensure a brighter interior and longer life span for the climbing centre.
The project comprised removal of the existing roof and installation of seven valley roofs, eight ridge panels, seven wall panels and two gable walls covering a 6,150 square meter footprint. The scope also included structural steel remedials to increase strength and painting. During the course of the project, minimising disruption to the ongoing operation of the centre was key, with work scheduled accordingly and plenty of contingency planning to cope with the extreme weather conditions that affected the entire country at the start of the year.
“Zero incidents on a project this complex in very taxing weather would be a remarkable achievement for most companies, but it’s all in a day’s work for Base Structures. The prescient approach brought by the team – smoothing the way to keeping the building operational, despite developing design during the contract due to pre-construction access restrictions – made it a pleasure to work with them all. It’s rather sad we don’t expect to see them back for 25-30 years (on this job anyway!)”.
Mo Blane, CDM-C/Architect, EICA roof replacement
The Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone is a unique partnership between Coleg Gwent, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and the University of South Wales to provide a high quality post-16 educational centre. Taking a walk around the campus this is evident in the very fabric of the buildings themselves – cutting edge facilities abound utilising the latest technology including triple glazing and rainwater harvesting. Our brief was to extend the state-of-the-art facilities outside the buildings.
We supplied and installed a MakMax Centra architectural umbrella. Available with a square, rectangular, octagonal and hexagonal canopy shade, the Learning Zone utilised a 5.4m x 5.4m square PVC canopy to perfectly fit within an exterior courtyard to create a sheltered breakout space. Able to withstand 90mph winds, the umbrella is supported by a central column and is fully collapsible. The shade membrane is also UV stable with stainless steel fittings and cables.
In short the Learning Zone can be assured that this investment will continue to look good and perform perfectly for many, many years!
in Bristol
