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Use
Outdoor equipment and roof structures -
Applications
Cultural events, pop-up spaces, waterproof walkways, outdoor fixtures -
Characteristics
Lightweight, easy installation, modular, waterproof, flexible, resilient
1 Supplementary File
1 Supplementary File
In May 2018, Grimshaw Architects designed an installation for Melbourne Knowledge week. The structure wraps around the events at the Hub which explores the smart and innovative future of Australia’s fastest growing city. The modular canopy system developed for the exterior space created by Grimshaw’s Industrial Design Team and MDT-tex is called Tensilation. It provides a shapely waterproof shelter in the courtyard, linking the main Hub to the events stall.
The indoor stalls were transformed with a fruit-net tensile structure to match that of the exterior MDT-Tex structures. It plays with light projections to give atmosphere to the space. The cozy atmosphere created by the canopies made the outdoor hangout area popular helped by a bar, good music, and ambient lighting.
Tensilation is a sophisticated modular system, which can cover a variable amount of space through its tessellating canopies. As the cover size grows, its structural capacity increases, yet the product remains lightweight and easy to install. The vaulted form provides a structure for events, pop-up spaces, and waterproof walkways or as a permanent outdoor fixture.
The canopy system embodies three key design elements: