When Shade Sculpture was first approached by Durkan Construction Company to look at developing an Iconic Tensile Canopy & Walkway for Jewish Care, linking three main buildings at their prestigious Asher Loftus Way site London, we knew it would be a challenge. Not only because we knew we needed to provide something which met exacting criteria, but something which also harmonised the award winning buildings connections, was precision crafted, exuded quality and looked beautiful.
However; as with all the Tensile Fabric Structure projects which we at Shade Sculpture take on, the challenge was embraced whole heartedly.
Design & Build Tensile Architecture
The Design & Build Tensile Architecture aspect was part of a multi-million pound refurbishment and redevelopment project of Jewish Cares premier address at Asher Loftus Site. From the very first meeting with Durkan and the projects overseeing architects MRP, we could see that the design approach need to embrace the award winning ‘Lady Sarah Cohen building’s’ design ethos, as well as incorporating the adjoining buildings upgraded architectural design.
Over several further meetings and consultations, working with the projects engineers, management and clients architects, Shade Sculpture developed The Design & Build Tensile Architecture which incorporated a multi-conical horse shoe shaped Canopy & Walkway, seamlessly linking all three buildings.
As all three adjoining buildings entrances were set on different levels, a curved and swooping ramp was put forward, surrounding the sites historical Oak Tree. The concrete ramp was also to be used to house service ducting and telecommunications cabling between the buildings. As such Shade Sculpture’s Tensile Fabric Canopy Design had to be developed to incorporate the varying heights and levels of the ramp, whilst still appearing to be providing a seamless level curved flow. Whilst this added additional design and engineering complications, the ramp also provided Shade Sculpture with an option to improve the seamlessness of the design by incorporating internal drainage down-stays within the structural steelwork itself. The ramp was then used to conceal the canopies drainage channels.
Design Material Specification
Due to the proximity of the Oak Tree and City location, as part of the Design Material Specification a Lacquered Type 2 fabric was used for the Tensile Canopy to minimise the dirt build up and aid with Tensile Structural Maintenance. For further information as to why Tensile Structural Maintenance is needed on Tensile fabric Structures, please visit our blog for more information. The steel frame and structure integrated guttering was painted in a mid-gloss grey, reflecting the Lady Sarah Cohen building’s own metal work. A brushed stainless steel balustrade with stainless steel tensile cabling was also specified and added to compliment and embrace the surrounding refurbishments, resulting in a truly harmonious design and material specification which both complimented the old whilst embracing the new.
Project details
End Client: Jewish Care
Main Contractor: Durkan Construction Company
Architects: MPR / Shade Sculpture
Design, Build Installation: Shade Sculpture
Completion Date: August 2015
Tensile Canopies & Walkways are increasingly being used in project refurbishments and remodelling to provide harmonious links between new and old buildings. This is because of the freeform design capabilities which tensile architecture allows architects to embrace and utilise.
To find out more on how Shade Sculpture can help with all types of tensile membrane projects including Sports Stadium and Arena membrane roofing, tensile fabric interiors and canopies and walkways amongst others, simply give us a call on +44 (0) 1249 848 649 and asked to speak with a member of our projects management team, or, email us at info@airsculpt.co.uk where we look forward to providing you with information and effective options.
