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Project Details

Fabric 1

HDPE Shade cloth
Producer/Manufacturer: Gale Pacific USA Inc.
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Fabric 2

Custom perforated aluminium panels
Producer/Manufacturer: OTHER
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Engineer Name 1
David Greenup

Engineer Company 1
Greenup Design Engineers

Design Name
Fabritecture

Design Company
Fabritecture

Project Manager Company
Fabritecture

Installation Company
Fabritecture

Please describe the project specifications

As part of the New South Wales Government’s upgrade to the M6 highway (Stage 1), new community recreation facilities were developed to provide shade to the community in various areas, including McCarthy Reserve and Brighton Memorial fields. Multiple shade structures were specified as part of these area developments, including 8 structures at McCarthy reserve, which are featured in this award submission.

The specifications for the eight (8) structures comprised a combination of two (2) structures clad with custom perforated aluminium panels and 6 (six) structures clad with HDPE mesh shade cloth.

Steelwork for all structures was specified to be finished with hot-dip galvanization as well as powder coating of 100 um to standard colour White Traffic RAL9016 with a 15-year warranty in a C5 environment.

The cladding was to provide shade to UPF 50 – some hard cladding and others clad with HDPE mesh.

The purpose of the 8 structures was to provide functional, yet aesthetic, shade cover to children and families playing in the playground areas in new recreation facilities at McCarthy reserve. The structures were to have a service life of 15 years, provide the required sun protection for patrons below them, and require minimal maintenance. The design of the structures was to be appealing and unique and provide a visually impactful element to the reserve areas.

What is unique or complex about the project?

We decided to submit this project for the unique nature of the shading elements of the structures.

The two aluminium-clad structures feature a steel frame with HDG and powder coat finish and are clad with “perforated aluminium discs,” one of which is 11 m in diameter, and the other 17m. A steel grid system is used to support the perforated aluminium panel cladding, which is underslung on the grid so that the perforated artwork can be seen clearly from underneath the structures.

The 6 mm aluminium panels are coated with a paint system equivalent to Colourbond Monument equivalent RAL 7021. The aluminium artwork features custom perforations of native flora including bottlebrushes, as well as native fauna including birds and frogs, which projects images onto the ground through these custom perforations, creating a beautiful artwork effect.

The six HDPE mesh clad structures, 4 of which have an 8 m diameter, and 2 with an 11 m diameter, are also steel framed with fabric tensioned using a custom extrusion system.

The material selected was Gale Pacific Commercial 95 340 HDPE Mesh, in 4 colours: Aquatic Blue, Desert Sand, Yellow and Orange. The fabric was chosen based on the colour specifications from the client as well as the UPF factor shading requirements and 15-year warranty.

The installation of the structures occurred over existing playground equipment. This required specific planning. Construction involved the installation of all columns first and preassembling of roof discs on the ground. These were then crane lifted into their final install position. There was no overhead installation.

The result of this project is the perfect blend of form and function – with visually striking structures that blend seamlessly with the landscape whilst providing effective shade coverage to children and parents playing below.

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