Company:
Fabritecture

Project Details

Fabric 1

ETFE
Producer/Manufacturer: OTHER
Primary Use: Main Fabric


Engineer Company 1
Wade Design Engineers

Design Company
Fabritecture

Architect Company
NH Architecture

Subcontractor Company
Fabritecture

Project Manager Company
Fabritecture

Installation Company
Fabritecture


Please describe the project specifications

During 2019, a large shopping centre in Melbourne underwent an AUD$490 million redevelopment to create a dining & entertainment hub for an up and coming suburb. We completed the design and construction of a fabric art canopy at the entrance to the shopping centre that covers the alfresco dining & entertainment vicinity.

The canopy is made up of 10 ETFE panels in total. There are 6 panels for the canopy and 4 panels to make up the skylight at the entrance of the centre. The canopy was designed to provide a welcoming and exciting ambiance for the dining area. The client requested a bespoke feature roof structure that included an aesthetic custom artwork on the top. The idea behind the custom print on the ETFE was to make the design synonymous with the culture of the surrounding suburbs, and of course to enhance the overall look and feel of the shopping centre. The ETFE canopy provides weather protection as well as reducing the UV exposure for the patrons underneath.


What is unique or complex about the project?

We decided to enter the Melbourne Shopping Centre project into the IFAI IAA because of it's unique fabric art design. The designer of the leaf pattern on the ETFE was UAP Studio (Urban Art Projects). The pattern has been digitally printed onto the ETFE which allows an individualised architectural design that was specifically created for the shopping centre. It is not usually a common process to use custom printing on ETFE membrane.

The alfresco dining area is complimented by the roof canopy as it is also filled with trees and natural flora. This gives an organic 'backyard feel' to the dining space. The client was very happy with the final results of the project and the canopy met the brief design. This project resulted in continued business from the client.


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