Category 1: Geosynthetics / Liners: Mining, Industrial, Domestic Applications (pools, tanks)

• Winner
• Project: Yatala Tank Cover
• Location: Yatala, Queensland, Australia
• Fabric Supplier: Innova International Pty Ltd
• Fabric: PVC / PES
• Size: 180 sqm

The need for a cover on the brewery revolving tank was due to the neighbours of the company complaining about the smell that was being emitted into the air from the tanks contents. The installation of this particular project was difficult as the tank was not able to be still for very long so all the installation had to be done at night so that the clients products were not disturbed by the new cover. Tensile membrane was ideal for this project as it is not a static structure and the membrane had the strength and flexibility to not hinder the brewing process whilst stopping the fumes from wafting toward the neighbours.

Category 9: General: Banners, flags, air supported, inflatable tents and swags

• Winner
• Project: Green Void
• Location: Sydney Customs House
• Fabric: Nylon / Lycra
• Size: 300 sqm

The concept behind the Green Void structure was to exhibit the infinite possibilities that is textile architecture, fabric spanning great distances with minimal resources consumed. Sustainability is of major importance to the architectural community with social responsibility being the number one priority and the Green Void was used to exhibit how textile architecture is the next generation of architectural sustainability.

The clients request was for a structure that best displayed the sustainable qualities of tensile membrane such as minimal use of resources and translucency for natural light as the main aspects, as their reputation for sustainable design is renowned internationally.

The project shows a new way of digital workflow, generating space out of light weight material in an extremely short time. The computer-model feeds directly into the finite element software for generation of true fabric form which marries with the manufacturing process.

The total fabric weighs a mere 45kilograms and is stretched over 12% past its original size to create its final shape. The use of such fabric allows it to be folded and fit inside a sports bag, yet has enough elasticity to fill a volume of 160 cubic metres. The total surface area is 233 square metres. Minimal amounts of Aluminium and hardware were a necessity to enhance the fabrics natural curvature. “The fabric is supported by only five rings; intricate patterns limited by the 1.5metre fabric roll width create the structures form. The complete structure including the Aluminium edges weighs 210Kilograms.

Utilizing force density shaping and elastic analysis the final shape was found to complement ring supports. Cutting patterns were developed through scribing geodesics through the structure at strategic locations and flattening using an energy method more able to handle the highly curved surface. “The riggers dubbed the structure ‘Shrek’s ears’ which is a great example of digital media being translated into fabric design.

The Green Void not only got media coverage in Australia but was publicised all around the world, through architecture websites and print media in Europe, Asia and America.

Located at Sydney Customs House, the lightweight Lycra sculpture hovers within the atrium, taking in Café Sydney’s top floor position stretching to the model of Sydney incased in the glass floor at ground level. The translucent fabric allows ample amounts of sunlight through from the atrium some 5 floors above creating a surreal experience as the surroundings take on a lime green glow. At night the structure is illuminated to take on the look of lava bubbling up from a volcano.