2017 Archive : Zoo Tree

Project Details

Fabric 1

OTHER - Comshade
Producer: Polyfab Australia
Supplier: W Wiggins Ltd

Design Name
Jeff Bailey

Design Company
Duncan's Canvas

Fabrication Company
Duncan's Canvas

Please describe the project specifications

A shade structure with a central pole and arms extending out 10m in diameter, with shade mesh tensioned over the frame.

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

The tree which sheltered the Hamilton Zoo rhinoceros viewing platform died – and our brief was to replace it with something which blended with the environment.

Duncan’s Canvas director Jeff Bailey designed a steel “tree” , ten metres in diameter fitted with a green shade mesh cover which fitted in with other trees in the area. The trunk is a huge galvanised steel pole approximately 300mm diameter which had to be craned in to place. The shade mesh used was Bluegum Comshade, as this blended perfectly with the foliage in the area.

The dead had been removed, but the company had to remove the stump and install a large foundation. The rhinos had to be relocated so staff could go in.

The “tree” shades the area where zoo keepers give talks to the public about the rhinos.

What is unique or complex about the project?

The shade had to blend with the environment - taking the place of a tree, it had to be the "quick fix" of replacing the tree.

Work also had to be done around the rhinoceros - the beasts had to be relocated for the work to be done. Because rhinos like rolling in mud it was very difficult to get the truck crane in to a suitable position to drill out the large tree stump and install the large foundations for the huge new "trunk" and lift the frame in to place.

The trunk goes 3m underground and stands 6m above the ground.

What were the results of the project?

Visitors to Hamilton Zoo can now listen to presentations by zoo-keepers in a lovely shaded spot. All the customers requirements were met and the result exceeded their expectations.

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