Westlake Girls High School Sports Facility
By Fabric Structures
The challenge – create a continuous canopy for netball and tennis courts on difficult ground conditions, without disrupting the school’s academic calendar
Westlake Girls High School on Auckland’s North Shore has a reputation for high achievement. With a strategic focus on encouraging personal best, the school wanted to enable increased use of their netball and tennis courts by adding an all-weather canopy. The vision called for full light between each netball court with more shade for on-court players.
In any school environment, student safety and continuity of learning are paramount. A well-managed, short construction period was essential. The project was also challenged by unusually bad weather and the discovery of consistent ground conditions.
Our solution – innovative design concepts, disciplined execution, and collaborative problem-solving
Structurflex was responsible for all structural engineering, as well as the supply, fabrication, and installation of all components. Working with architects Creative Spaces, Structurflex developed fabric connection details that satisfied the architect’s vision while ensuring a weathertight solution. This included the design and manufacture of a custom guttering system.
The architect’s vision for conveying intense natural light between the courts was effectively achieved by combining PVC-coated membrane with ETFE foil. The contrast between translucency characteristics of the materials ensures a pattern of comfortable shading and full natural light.
The controlled, systematic, and efficient implementation enabled Structurflex to meet the short construction timeframe. Collaborating with ASPEC Construction, the main contractor, Structurflex engineers were able to resolve ground condition challenges to the foundations without adjusting the project completion date.
The new sporting venue has been highly praised by students, visiting players, teachers, parents, the local community, and even motorists on the adjacent motorway. Even more importantly, with the courts in use day and night in any weather, more people are rediscovering their personal best.
IAA Outstanding Achievement Award – 2013
Title: Westlake Girls High School Sports Facility
Description: Tension membrane structure for netball and tennis courts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Completed: 2012
Fabric Area: 3500m²
Fabric Type: Ferrari 1002T2 / ETFE
Architect/Client: Creative Spaces / Westlake Girls High School
Professionals used in
Westlake Girls High School Sports Facility
More projects from
Fabric Structures
About the
Professional
Fabric Structures Ltd specialises in the design and fabrication of bespoke architectural and event structures. We provide internal and external expertise on a wide range of materials including PVC - solid, PVC - mesh, Metal Mesh, PTFE & ETFE. We are also the local distributors for a range of architectural membrane products.
From fixed frame canopies, cable tensioned structures, insulated enclosures and facades, we deliver fabric solutions for commercial buildings, aquatic centres, outdoor sport and recreation spaces, events and exhibitions, across a range of sectors.
Our highly-skilled, multidisciplinary team (based across two sites in Whangarei and West Auckland), provides expertise across every aspect of production, from a technical understanding of specialist textiles, best practice design/engineering processes, building consent applications, through to project delivery.
Innovation is at the heart of our culture, demonstrated through our award-winning bespoke local and international solutions, ranging from purpose-built architect-led solutions to internal design-led fabric structures and facades.
At Fabric Structures, we collaborate with other industry-leading experts, including architects, specialist tensile engineers, leading fabric suppliers, steel fabricators, local civil contractors and professional riggers.
"Big enough to execute with excellence, but small enough to know you."
We build sustainable working relationships with our clients, collaborating closely with them to understand their needs and issues so that we can provide the best solutions.
- Year founded1990
- ArchiPro Member since2022
- More information