Our brief was to build a sun shade shelter and feature for the recreational terrace at the Cardiff children’s hospital. The tensile fabric structure needed to provide a sheltered area for outdoor eating and patient relaxation.
We designed, manufactured and installed the series of PVC sails including the supporting steel structures and rigging cables. A large part of the installation of this project was by rope access at high level. Thorough planning and pre site preparation ensured a smooth and successful installation
Base Structures were originally approached by the Zoo to offer their expertise to design an enclosure and aviary solution for a number of new home’s for Sumatran orangutans, Sulawesi macaques, Rhinoceros hornbill’s and Bali starlings, on the new £40m development, Island Projects, at Chester Zoo.
The main focus as always with any type of zoo enclosure is on the animal welfare, therefore very careful consideration was given on the selection and approach for the mesh netting, to ensure these critically endangered and beautiful species were provided with a safe and secure environment.
Utilising our network of specialist suppliers, we were able to select the appropriate stainless steel mesh product, and design an interface solution with other substrates on the enclosure, in a way that the orangutan in particular could not unpick or find a weakness.
The macaque enclosure, and hornbill and Bali starlings aviaries although less challenging, specific detail still had to be considered with regard to minimal visual impact, and a protective and secure environment for the apes and birds.
All of the enclosures and aviaries were delivered on time and to programme, through some challenging weather conditions, and the end client was extremely satisfied with the end result, that is the animals of course!
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.
Famed for it’s bicycle riding academics, Cambridge University required a cycle shelter for the Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics. This particular shelter needed to be top of it’s class as well as excellent value for money.
For this project, a curvaceous double cone form is one of the most efficient uses of fabric, minimising the steel content in the structure and thus minimising costs. The 165m2 footprint of the canopy provides plenty of room to keep over 50 bicycles dry and the built-in up-lighters diffuse light off the interior of the fabric creating a welcoming terminus for commutes in the darker winter months. Clear sky lights built into the top of the cones ensure natural light can easily penetrate to the ground below too.
This structure forms part of our pre-designed range and is called a Cairngorm 2P 16-12 which is easily made to order with reduced design costs compared to a bespoke structure. It has a multitude of uses including cafe seating, point of sale and of course an excellent bicycle shelter!
We were asked to build a touring canopy for a champagne bar to be used for various commercial events and entertaining. The fabric structure needed to be stylish and versatile to provide an impressive feature for any event.
We designed, manufactured and installed the canopy in its initial location. We also provided training to our clients events crew on how to dismantle and re-erct the structure.
The canopy creates a sense of sophistication and style whilst remaining practical in providing shade and shelter to the bar – so please raise your glass to toast a job well done!
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.
Located in the centre of Milton Keynes, Campbell Park needed a performance canopy to host many of the major festivals and events that take place in the town, from music and open air film performances to kite festivals and cricket matches. Likened to Central Park in New York, Campbell Park has grown into a central hub for recreation and entertainment, not to mention the contemporary developments continuing to grow along the periphery of the park.
To keep apace of the parks popularity, The Parks Trust has completed major works within the grounds in early 2012 – a significant part being this performance canopy. Intended for music concerts and theatre productions, the saddle canopy has demountable rear and side walls that can be removed to prevent vandalism when performances are not taking place. The steelwork has also been specifically designed to support a full range of stage lighting equipment, creating a theatrical facility worthy of any star performance.
The inclined nature of the main steel members presented a very challenging installation, but one that was completed within a very compressed time line to enable landscaping works to be completed shortly after.
The Campbell Park stage canopy also won an Award of Excellence at the 2012 IFAI International Achievement Awards.
Bristol Zoo asked us to help with a new primate enclosure for the Howler monkeys.
Base helped to design and build a habitat that maximised space and openness by incorporating natural features and using knotted 0.5mm gauge stainless steel wire, mechanically fixed to structural cables.
The innovative knotted 0.5mm wire provides a safe and monkey-proof enclosure for the howler monkeys as well as an unobtrusive visual experience for visitors.
This project was an exciting new build as part of Bristol Zoo’s development into their primate area including a enclosure for the Lemurs.
This enclosure was roofed and walled in durable and tough Polyethylene knotted net, hand stitched and mechanically fixed to the structural cables. Our installation team were able to put their professional climbing skills and working at height expertise into good use on this enclosure, as well as their expertise in making the netting monkey-proof!
Originally built in 1971, Bristol University’s Stoke Bishop self catering halls of residence accommodate over 300 undergraduate students in this enviable location of North Bristol. Forty years of student life had taken it’s toll on the facilities, however and a much needed modernisation programme commenced in 2013.
A Malvern 4P 700 was chosen from our standard fabric canopy range to extend the use of the exterior space and create a dramatic focal point outside the newly refurbished Source Café. Using structural PVC fabric, the free standing canopy is engineered to British Standards and designed for year round use – whatever the Bristolian weather may bring. Specified with cream coloured fabric and dark grey painted steelwork, the structure provides a welcome contemporary flourish to contrast with the modernist halls of residence.
Acting as a central hub of the new development, the canopy is far more than your average sail shade.
in Bristol
