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.
London’s Camden Market’s carnival atmosphere famously attracts people from all walks of life and is popular with Goths and Punks who live and work alongside the traditional antiques and clothing traders. Due to increased visitor numbers, this borough of London has recently attracted substantial development funding enabling a gradual and sympathetic facelift to take place. How apt that this beautifully crafted walkway canopy should adorn a building that sits at the heart of London’s bohemian arts and crafts district.
We decided to use Tenara material which is 100% PTFE and is manufactured to very high quality standards. Accordingly, it benefits from high levels of translucency such that the light striking the smooth curves of the canopy is evenly diffused, lifting the whole structure and making it appear to fluoresce. The twisted, eccentric steel framework which carries the fabric is constructed of many irregular curves making the geometry of each bay completely unique. Needless to say the patterning of the fabric was a monumental task, and yet it fits so well.
Set as it is against a backdrop of muted coloured glass curtain walling set in steel grey frames, this installation promotes the fabric so that it appears to shine like a pearl unearthed in this most unlikely of habitats. The completed project is a true testament to the combination of visionary artist and engineer.
The spectacular Cutty Sark deserves to welcome its visitors in a spectacular venue. Therefore, this multi-cone tensile fabric structure had to be one of the most unique architectural fabric creations in the country. By day, its peaks resemble crisp meringue; by dusk, the detail in the beautifully lit cones truly comes alive.
The seventeen tensile hexagonal cones have a unique relationship with their timber grid below. In short, one cannot survive without the other. The fabric locks the grid in place, providing the awesome strength needed to hold this beautiful beast in place. A true example of collaborative working processes, from conception to completion, the engineering, timber and fabric all had to work in perfect harmony.
Conceived by innovative architects Youmeheshe, the fabric structure strikes an arresting mark on the landscape. It is not just its visual form that breaks new ground.
Our brief was to install a tensile fabric roof structure to the new ice rink and events arena at the Eden Project in time for the National Lottery’s 10th Anniversary celebration 2004.
Our scope of works was to pattern, manufacture and install the fabric membrane over the steel frame supplied by ESS. This was a large project with an immovable deadline and it took a huge team effort to get it done on time. It was a very rewarding job to be involved in and it looks great.
The fabric structure serves not only as a roof but as a new feature attraction at the site. Choosing a fabric building has allowed the client to go for a unique, contemporary and impacting design. It also compliments the existing Eden Project structure and ESS were delighted with our quick and professional installation.
Base Structures were extremely proud to be working together with Caddick Construction on the plans to transform the Emerald Headingley Cricket Ground.
Much has changed since the crowds poured in to watch the first Test at this truly iconic and world-famous sporting venue in 1899. The addition of the new 4,300 seater main stand will make Headingley one of the finest cricket venues in the world.
Base were tasked with the design, manufacture and install of the fabric roof and bespoke gutter system on the new Emerald main stand, the centrepiece of the Headingley redevelopment project.
The cantilever stadium roof comprises of ten bays, each of which is covered by Ferrari’s high performance membrane, TX30-II, which benefits from a 30 year lifespan.
Fabric installations can be a tricky game at times due to inclement weather, especially at height and when conducted solely by Rope Access Technicians. However, our installation was unhampered and benefitted by the long, hot and settled summer weather. It was a touch too warm at times up there…due to the fabric glare, temperatures peaked at 48°C!
Every year a covered green space in which to relax is generated within London’s famous Square Mile as a place where executives and their clients can go to view dinner time theatrical and musical events. Base Structures were commissioned by the client to replace the existing tensile fabric covers in Exchange Square, which were starting to look tired.
In order to reproduce the existing covers Base Structures design department had to survey the steel and cable net structure from which they could generate the ‘form’ of the new structures.
As you can see from the pictures, this was achieved very successfully and the new fabric structure once again looks fit for purpose.
A new generation of temporary mobile structures was to be developed for the festival and entertainment sector, starting life at Glastonbury Festival 2007 as the Glade Stage.
We made the fabric roof canopy in PVC and the steel in a light weight lattice structure that has the ability to cope with different ground conditions, depending on the location of the event or festival.
A practical and visually appealing solution to temporary event stages within the entertainment industry.
Base Structures were commissioned to design, manufacture and install the departures tensile canopy scheme, one that would provide a truly stunning entrance to the new Terminal. As one of the first areas of Terminal 5 encountered by passengers, it was absolutely essential that we created a world class structure that made an exceptional first impression.
Andy Dearman, Architect, Pascall and Watson Architects
Paul Yates, Laing O’Rourke
Mark Randerson,SH Structures
Mark Smith, Project Manager, Base Structures
Duncan Baird, Site Supervisor, Base Structures
The project consisted of over 4000sqm of PTFE tensile fabric canopies that extended the whole length of the set down lanes at the terminal entrance. Additional canopies in the package included the car park entrance structures that reflected the main scheme. The eye-catching design utilises several series of a twisted hypar arrangement tensioned on an architectural steel frame complete with bespoke lighting. The sweeping undulations of fabric serving not only as shelter for passengers underneath but also as an outstanding architectural flourish to the terminal building.
A major contribution to Base Structures winning this tender was by partnering with a well respected steel fabricator from the beginning of the project. As the value of the steel exceeded the fabric content a more competitive price was achieved by having the steel fabricator as the lead contractor.
PTFE fabric was chosen instead of PVC to bring a number of benefits including increased translucency, higher strength, improved fire rating and a lower susceptibility to dirt. Being far more difficult to manufacture and install than PVC however required specialist skills to ensure the longevity of the structure was not compromised; poorly manufactured and installed PTFE will quickly fail. The accuracy and quality of the design, manufacture and installation are critical to the success of this material; when all these disciplines combine successfully PTFE has an exceptional life span as a tensile fabric.
As well as supply and fit of the fabric membrane Base were also responsible for installing the steelwork, fitting steel cladding to the lighting arms, installing bespoke lighting equipment and co-ordinating all works on site.
The installation was challenging and had to be completed in time for the grand opening of the terminal in March 2008. Our installation team were working on-site continuously for eighteen months, finally culminating in a seventeen man team for the last six months to ensure we could bring the project in on time.
The execution of the manufacture and installation reflected the high quality of the design and the expectations for the gateway to be the country’s new showcase terminal. The project was completed in plenty of time for the official opening of Terminal 5 by the Queen on 14th March 2008, finally opening to the public on 27th March 2008.
We designed and installed this very aesthetically pleasing courtyard roof at the newly built Hounslow Town Primary School.
The school wanted weather protection for the courtyard but also to ensure it remained an outside space, so the canopy was designed with openings around the edge.
The lattice criss-cross structure is constructed from carbon steel sections and spans from East to West. The fabric has been treated with Nano which is hydrophobic, giving the fabric good self-cleaning properties.
Our client approached us to assist them with a PVC roof structure over a Salt Barn that had reached the end of its lifespan.
We carried out a methodical removal of the old roof and gable panel and supplied and installed a new 1200m2 panel to the structure.
Given the size of the panel and the tricky crane lift this produced, the installation was particularly challenging during a windy autumn period. Further challenges presented were ensuring the salt was kept dry between the removal and replacement of the roof.
With a fixed deadline and delivery of several thousand tonnes of salt looming, we had to work swiftly and efficiently, using the old removed fabric to provide temporary protection.
in Bristol
