Company:
MakMax Australia

Project Details

Fabric 1

PTFE
Producer: Chukoh


Engineer Name 1
Keagan Leamy and Mike Lester

Engineer Company 1
MakMax Australia

Architect Company
Nettleontribe

Fabrication Name
Nevil King

Fabrication Company
MakMax Australia

Project Manager Name
Alberto Del Arco

Project Manager Company
MakMax Australia

Installation Company
Sydrig


Please describe the project specifications

Warwick Farm Racecourse Parade Ring and Walkway, Sydney Australia


What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

The client required the upgrade of the stables and parade ring at Warwick Farm, located in Sydney, as part of their ongoing expansion and improvement strategy.

The client requested a canopy which would provide protection for the parade ring, in addition to an architectural design that would be a centrepiece to compliment the new hotel and function centre.


What is unique or complex about the project?

To minimise fabrication costs while also delivering =the architectural brief, our team developed a solution which involved fabricating rafters by cutting an I-beam in half at an angle. This provided two tapered T-beam rafters, giving the entire walkway a lighter and more visually striking appeal.

The inverted conicals also provided a challenge as each member was fabricated from scratch using plates to create the tapered I-beam, giving the rings more of a “tree” feeling. This provided its own challenges as having a structure that looks light but being made up of members with such deep webs meant that buckling and torsion instabilities all needed to be overcome with an intelligent use of cross bracings that doubled as points for the fabric clamping


What were the results of the project?

The Parade Ring and Walkway is a visually striking architecturally designed structure that provides patron and equine protection from the elements. The tensile membrane structures also deliver a unique and instantly recognizable landmark that enhances the entrance to the hotel and function centre.


Content is submitted by the participant. IFAI is not responsible for the content descriptions of the IAA award winners.