2024 Archive : Kmart Walkway

Project Details

Fabric 1

Commercial Heavy 430 Knitted UV Stabilised HDPE
Producer/Manufacturer: QCD Ltd.
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Please describe the project specifications

We were approached by the property owner to refresh the ten shade sails we had previously installed for them over this high profile walkway. The property owner did not want to make any changes to the structure and we were constrained by a tight timeframe and the need to install during off-peak foot traffic times. Each sail had a slightly different profile and size and as the attachment fixing points were already in place, millimeter perfect accuracy was required to ensure optimal tension could be achieved. Commercial Heavy shade cloth by GALE supplied by QCD was chosen for the excellent UV warranty and overall appearance.

What is unique or complex about the project?

This project was chosen as each individual sail needed to be designed to a unique set of measurements with millimeter accuracy to ensure they were tensioned correctly. Because each panel was secured into rope track on three sides, the shaping of the fabric needed to be perfect. There was no tensioners used, therefore the correct shaping was critical. The fabricator had to utilise the inherent stretch of the fabric and align this with the twisted shape of the structure. We had originally proposed to change the design of these panels, this proposal was declined by the client due to budgetary restrictions and the inability to get the required engineering changed made within the timeframe. We had to work to the tight time frames given by our client and manage the high profile site with careful consideration to the customer's Health & Safety requirements.

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