After creating the barrel vaulted roof for the East Ayrshire Athletics Centre covered track in September 2011, Base returned to site to add a pre-designed grandstand Grampian canopy along the edge of the outside running track.
Integral rainwater collection diverts water from the surface of the membrane into flexi-pipes that connect directly into the steelwork of the structure, concealing the drainage system and preventing drips of water down the back of the neck. The minimalist steelwork also maximises space under the canopy whilst providing convenient posts to perform warm up stretches against.
Really a showcase for simple, effective design, the unobtrusive canopy does it’s job brilliantly. All in all a real star of track and field.
The East Ayrshire Athletics Centre comprises of a 400m running track, field activities and a covered indoor sprinting track. Since its first outing at the Munich Olympics, the use of fabric in a sports setting has become a well established motif. Properties such as elegance of form, lightness of structure and gloom busting light translucency present both coherent solutions to the problems presented to municipal sports architecture and dazzling opportunities to create signature structures for clients – and this is exactly what the client wanted.
The barrel vaulted structure shown here, including secondary steelwork and water capture and collection, was delivered by Base for less than £150 per m2, proving that eyecatching and expensive are not necessarily fated to be uttered in the same breath.
Our client required an architectural feature to enhance the retail concession outlets at the cricket club on Chester Le Street, Durham. A bris soleil canopy such as this provides both a practical sun shade and unique attractive design, brightening up an otherwise dull part of the building.
We designed, manufactured and installed the fabric canopy and its associated steel structure and fittings.
For this project, the client wanted to use a canopy to provide shading over a high level sun terrace at a residential care home in Torquay.
This Malvern canopy from our pre-engineered range is a ‘hypar’ structure which is regarded as the simplest of tensile fabric ‘forms’, but it’s simplicity belies its beauty when it elegantly adorns an otherwise uninspiring expanse of paving. The swooping contoured profile of the canopy allied with the scalloped cable pocket edges provide unique shading patterns beneath which vary constantly depending upon the angle of the sun and the time of day. Only a tensile fabric solution can offer this dramatic and inspiring architectural figure whilst maintaining a large clear span protective zone beneath.
Its construction affords the residents a year round platform from which to view the grand vistas over the town and beyond regardless of the weather.
Bristol is a city in the midst of regeneration, its architectural footprint rampantly swelling alongside its population. The commercial Dovercourt development of prestigious flats in the centre of the city had to really pull out the stops to make its mark.
We delivered a phased programme of works. Initially, two tensile fabric barrel vault structures were erected to provide coverage over the show flat. They delivered impact and crucial wow factor during the early marketing when first impressions really count.
It was nearly eight months before the entire site was literally transformed as the phase two canopy was installed. The earlier structures almost paled in comparison. Two of the main supporting head rings float via a suspended ‘flying’ mast system, with the canopy tensioned and constrained at the perimeter by a series of cables and membrane plates. A rainwater catchment system ensures residents remain dry in the courtyard below, even in the most inclement weather.
Covering an area approximately 45m x 20m, this magnificent, single-piece triple cone membrane has scale, complexity and ingenuity.
Our client required a tensile fabric roof structure to their new creche being built as part of The Hub development at Doncaster college.
We designed, manufactured and installed the fabric canopy roof structure, which included the fabric membrane, steelwork and associated fittings
The tensile structure not only acts as a roof but is also an impressive feature adding style to the development.
Our brief was to provide a replacement architectural fabric canopy with a new and improved design to their established market courtyard.
We adapted the Chiltern design from our pre-designed canopy range and provided the fabrication and installation of the twin coned fabric canopy, supporting steelwork and fittings.
The canopies are in place to allow the market to provide a sheltered outdoor eating area for Dolphin Square’s shoppers and diners. It also acts as a meeting and focal point for the square.
The new Digital Technium building at Swansea University required a terrace canopy to the 5th floor Science and Technology department which needed to be both functional and aesthetic.
We designed, manufactured and installed the inverted barrel vault structure, including the fabric, branch-frame steelwork and associated fittings. This project was great to work on as it is a perfect example of a classic tensile structure. It went in well and on time for the buildings opening.
The fabric structure provides a sheltered terrace area and is a dynamic addition to the futuristic impact of the building.
Working directly for the client, Base Structures were asked to replace the existing multi-cone tensile structure which was damaged during a severe local weather event.
Our design department replicated the original architectural design for the tensile fabric and changed some of the detailing to ensure it would no longer be liable to damage.Our installation team spent two weeks on site, de-rigging the old and then reinstalling the new canopy. During this period we successfully managed the interface with the public so that as little inconvenience as possible was encountered by public and shop keepers alike.
A visually stunning and practical, weather tight canopy structure that adds to the sophistication that is Dalton Park.
Located in Crown Square, Manchester, this 196m2 single inclined conic fabric canopy structure was to feature as the latest part of the Spinningfields development – an area that is fast becoming known as the ‘Canary Warf of the North’. By providing both a focal point and shelter for outdoor events, the tensile fabric canopy needed to lend an entirely new identity to an area surrounded by tall, modern buildings.
Highlighting the benefits of using tensile fabric structures for exterior performance areas, this bespoke fabric canopy structure demonstrates the versatility, practicality and aesthetic possibilities of tensile fabric for extending the use of public spaces. Designed to fit onto existing foundations located at different levels, the undulating fabric perimeter and inclined steelwork present a lively aesthetic in keeping with the vitality of the wider location.
in Bristol
