Friday July 4th, 2008
2003 Awards
Category 1 - General Canvas and Synthetic Fabric Products
- AWARD: FIRST PRIZE
- DARLING DOWNS TARPAULINS
- Site Location: MOONROCKS MELONS, ST GEORGE, QLD
- Contact: MAX BRADY
- Address: PO BOX 6267, TOOWOOMBA WEST, QLD 4350
- Phone: (07) 4634 2166 Fax: (07) 4634 7725
- Email: ddt@ddt.com.au
- Fabric Used: ECS E-VAP CAP (POLYETHYLENE)
- Fabric Suppliers: SEALED AIR AUSTRALIA
- Components Used: N/A
- Components Supplier: N/A
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
We were approached by a family owned farming enterprise (farming rock melons, table grapes and cotton) to fabricate and install a floating cover on their 42,000sqm (surface area) irrigation storage dam.
With irregular and uncertain opportunities available to obtain the water to fill the storage, the prospect of losing as much as two metres depth of water from evaporation per year could jeopardise the profitability of the enterprise.
As always the solution to the problem had to be cost-effective.
The membrane is supplied 1.3m wide, so there was a considerable amount of factory prefabrication, and on-site (on water) joining to do. The dam was full at the time!
The p.e. Membrane chosen has built-in buoyancy, so no additional flotation had to be fitted.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS PROJECT
- It has never been done in this manner before.
- Shop panels were prefabricated to approx 1,000sqm for on-water deployment (three semi trailer loads sent to site).
- During deployment, wind presented a potential threat (1,000sqm is a big sail!) – so techniques had to be developed to do the job safely, yet productively.
- The biggest challenge was to join (weld) the prefabricated panels on the water.
- To accomplish this we had to invent and develop a mobile floating work platform fitted with a wedge welder. We think we achieved a world first!
Specific challenges included:
- How to maintain the correct membrane overlap for welding.
- How to dry the plastic sufficiently prior to welding.
- Synchronising welder nip-roller speed with barge speed.
- Strictly maintaining operator safety when using electrically powered gear on water.
- Rain water falling into the cover quickly runs in under the cover where it too is protected from evaporation.
- The system is able to handle the normal fluctuating level of water in the dam.
- Farmers, water resources scientists, and others have been daunted by the difficulties in protecting stored water from evaporation losses for many years. Annual losses of up to 3 metres depth of water are experienced in some parts of this country. This evaporation control cover has proven to cut such losses by around 90% - and is especially significant given recent drastic cuts in irrigation water allocation.
- Apart from the water saving, the cover has delivered other benefits too:
- Near elimination of evaporation prevents salinity build-up in the water storage.
- Reduction (to near zero) of algae growth.
- Almost no dam bank erosion due to wave action
- With almost no evaporation now, a farmer (etc) can now build a smaller dam (to give the same result) – with some excavation cost reduction, and less farmland area loss.
- Already – after one summer, the cover has allowed the owners to grow and harvest an additional crop of melons and pumpkins – and to have the water and therefore the confidence – to plant around 15 acres of table grapes in addition to their "normal" seasonal programme.
- From the interest generated by this project already, we believe there is a big future for this type of cover right around australia and in several other countries where water is limited and therefore worth protecting.
- With this system, the all up cost works out to be the equivalent of 1 cent per 25 litres of water saved (factoring in interest, but ignoring tax deductions – and making reasonable assumption of fabric lifespan).
- It’s all australian!
Other participating entries in Category 1:
- ENTRY 1 - SKYE PARK RUGS PTY LTD
- ENTRY 2 - ACADEMY TARPS PTY LTD
- ENTRY 3 - MAILBAG MANUFACTURING CO.
- ENTRY 5 - C E BARTLETT PTY LTD
- ENTRY 6 - BEEHIVE VINYL PRODUCTS PTY LTD
- ENTRY 9 - DEL-RAY CANVAS AUSTRALIA
- ENTRY 10 - DEL-RAY CANVAS AUSTRALIA
- ENTRY 12 - TEBB’S CANVAS PRODUCTS PTY LTD
- ENTRY 14 - ACE OF SHADES PTY LTD
- ENTRY 16 - NATIONAL FLAGS
Category 2 - No Entries
Category 3 - Domestic Awnings/Blinds
- AWARD: FIRST PRIZE
- B & J Canvas, QLD
- Site Location: MIAMI GOLD COAST
- Contact: BRENDON DILLON
- Address: PO BOX 3391, NERANG EAST GC, QLD 4211
- Phone: (07) 5525 3399 Fax: (07) 5525 3177
- Fabric Used: BRADMILL STYLESHADE
- Fabric Suppliers: SUN N’ SURF
- Components Used: CUSTOM BUILT ALUMINIUM FRAME, POWDER COATED
- Components Supplier: B & J CANVAS
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Entrance Canopy
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS PROJECT?
Complexity of design with practical function.
Other participating entries in Category 3:
- ENTRY 1 - STORM SAFE RETRACTABLE SHADE SAILS
- ENTRY 2 - DEL-RAY CANVAS AUSTRALIA
- ENTRY 3 - DEL-RAY CANVAS AUSTRALIA
- ENTRY 4 - B & J CANVAS
- ENTRY 5 - CANVAS CITY
Category 4 - Commercial Awnings
- AWARD: FIRST PRIZE
- Canvas City, WA
- Site Location: BROADWATER PAGODA, COMO, WA
- Contact: FRED TARBOTTON
- Address: 6 STRICKLAND CT, COOGEE, WA 6166
- Phone: (08) 9434 2270 Fax: (08) 9434 2210
- Email: canvascity@iinet.net.au
- Fabric Used: 1MM CLEAR PVC, PVC 600 GSM
- Fabric Suppliers: UPHOLSTERING DISTRIBUTORS
- Components Used: MOSS PULLEYS, SELF FEEDING PLATE; PVC COATED STRAPS; 38MM GALVABOND PIPE; ANNEXE TRACK
- Components Supplier: DALEY’S, UPHOLSTERING DISTRIBUTORS; BDM LEATHER & CANVA
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
To supply and fit clear pvc blinds to an outdoor garden restaurant, to weatherproof the complete area.
Clear plastic was requested to keep the architects initial idea of a very open feeling, the restaurant was also angled and shaped to let as much light in as possible.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS PROJECT?
With the restaurant being shaped and curved the way it was, the challenge in this job was to make blinds curved with banana shaped curves in the roof on each end.
On the side of the restaurant there had been no consideration for blinds in the intitial design of the roof structure, so we had a builder fit more supports and beams in the roof. These blinds would drop down and be fitted to the lower wall. The next problem with this was the wall below where the blinds had to be fitted too, followed a completely different line to the roof area.
The blinds could only follow a straight line in the roof, they had to drop down and line up with a curved and staggered wall approximately 700mm out of line from the roof. We achieved this by finding the roof beams behind the ceiling and marking a pencil line on the ceiling to stagger the blinds to assist in following the line of the lower wall we had to fix the blinds to.
On this side we made every second blind, fitted each one of them, then measured and shaped the blinds that fitted in-between these blinds. This was done to assist in the curve required to pick up the bottom wall. All these blinds were wider at the top than the bottom to give us the shape required, all of these blinds zipped together.
The two ends of the restaurant, with the banana shaped ceiling was also a challenge especially the end of the larger drop. The drop was 3.9 metres at one end with the curve running down to 2.3 metres at the other end, this endof the restaurant was approximately 12 metres wide, a scaffold and a 12 metre wide template was used to transfer the curve onto the blinds.
We feel that the final result of this job was fantastic considering the size and shape of this building.
Other participating entries in Category 4:
- ENTRY 1 - SHADE STRUCTURES BIRDAIR
- ENTRY 2 - SHADE STRUCTURES BIRDAIR
- ENTRY 3 - CANVAS & VINYL SPECIALISTS
- ENTRY 4 - JOINT ENTRY - CANVAS & VINYL SPECIALISTS
- ENTRY 5 - B & J CANVAS
- ENTRY 8 - B & J CANVAS
- ENTRY 9 - CANVAS CITY
- ENTRY 10 - HORIZON SAILMAKERS
Category 5 - Automation
- AWARD: FIRST PRIZE
- FISCHER SHUTTERS
- Site Location: ADELAIDE CONVENTION CENTRE, ADELAIDE
- Contact: TONY DE MAAIJER
- Address: 6 DAWS ROAD, ASCOT PARK, SA 5043
- Phone: (08) 8374 0434 Fax: (08) 8276 1449
- Email: fischer.shutters@chariot.net.au
- Fabric Used: FERRARI – SOLTIS 99
- Fabric Suppliers: UPHOLSTERING DISTRIBUTORS
- Components Used: BRACKETS, COUPLINGS, POLYURETHANE COMPONENTS, ELEC. MOTORS, REMOTE CONTROLS, S/S/ GUY WIRES, TUBING
- Components Supplier: SOMFY, GLOBAL AWNINGS, TURNILS, FISCHER SHUTTERS
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The project was undertaken with the design brief to provide efficient shading and insulation for a glass area comprising some 780sqm (65m width and 12m height) for the adelaide convention centre with instructions to maintain the architectural integrity by following the curved glass façade.
The stated objective was to:
* Reduce transmission of solar radiation through the immense wall of glass,
* Eliminate glare without giving the area a closed-in feeling, and thus make the centre more user friendly.
* Make the climate control system achieve greatest efficiency, which is turn would result in greater energy conservation and thus in reduced energy cost.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS PROJECT?
We designed and fabricated special bracketing and flexible couplings in order to make it possible to follow the curvature of the façade.
All shades are installed on the inside of the façade comprising three separate drops of fabric, cascading down to a point of 2.4 meters from floor level. The three individual drops of fabric are separated by small gaps in between, which align with the vertical, structural stainless steel stanchions, connecting the horizontal glass and steel sections.
The three drops are interconnected, operate as one, and follow the curvature of the façade. They are operated by a single-phase remote controlled electric motor, in groups of three, interconnected by flexible couplings.
To achieve lateral stability, the three drops of fabric are linked at the bottom of the shades by a common "bottom-bar" which is guided at its extremities by tensioned stainless-steel cables, which run the full height of the shades.
The fabric we proposed for this project is to our knowledge the best available for this application and is specifically designed for this purpose. It has an aluminium coating to maximise solar energy reflection, glare reduction and is manufactured to the highest standards, carrying a 5 year guarantee
We have successfully achieved all required objectives whilst the innovative design of this project is unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing in its execution.
Other participating entries in Category 5:
ENTRY 2 - B & J CANVAS
Category 6 - Tension Structures (Shadecloth)
- AWARD: FIRST PRIZE
- HORIZON SAILMAKERS
- Site Location: FOX FOOTY CHANNEL, CITY ROAD, SOUTHBANK, VIC 3006
- Contact: SIMON HAMMOND
- Address: 2 NOYES STREET, SANDRINGHAM, VIC 3191
- Phone: (03) 9598 4666 Fax: (03) 9598 4644
- Email: frank@horizonsails.com.au
- Fabric Used: Z16
- Fabric Suppliers: RAINBOW SHADE
- Components Used: GALVANISED PIPE (250D), 5MM BOLT ROPE, EYE SCREWS WITH RUBBER WASHERS, PVC PIPE
- Components Supplier: N/A
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The new fox footy channel moved into a warehouse in southbank during the summer of 2001 – 2002. Unfortunately the roof of the studio was tin with little insulation from sound and when heavy rain fell all filming would have to be halted due to the incredible noise. The architect approached us to design a solution to help the situation.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE PROJECT?
Whilst we knew the final concept would involve suspending a membrane above the roof, the problem was in the lack of suitable fixing points around the roof from which we may be able to support a membrane. Given that over 700sqm of the roof needed insulation, the problem of lack of support required an innovative approach.
This problem was solved by using the membrane to tension itself by raising it above the undulating sections of the roof and then tensioning it downwards onto roof trusses. By doing this, costs were kept very reasonable and there would be minimal penetration of the roof itself with little need for complex structures.
Success!!! Not only did the design achieve its goal of eliminating any noise from rain and hail, but air conditioning bills were also greatly reduced. The design can be easily applied and shows the use of fabric on the outside of a roof is an effective way to insulate from sound and heat.
Other participating entries in Category 6:
ENTRY 1 - PORT DOUGLAS SAILMAKERS PTY LTD
ENTRY 2 - COPELANDS & PICKERS
ENTRY 3 - OASIS TENSION STRUCTURES (AUS) PTY LTD
ENTRY 4 - SHADE STRUCTURES BIRDAIR
ENTRY 5 - DEL-RAY CANVAS AUSTRALIA
Category 7 - Tension Structures (PVC Solids and Coated Mesh area greater than 250sqm)
- AWARD: FIRST PRIZE
- SHADE STRUCTURES BIRDAIR
- Site Location: LONGITUDE 131, YULARA RESORT, ULURU, NT
- Contact: RENAE PICKUP
- Address: PO BOX 1256, EAGLE FARM, QLD 4009
- Phone: (07) 3633 5925 Fax: (07) 3633 5999
- Email: ssb@shadebirdair.com
- Fabric Used: FERRARI 1002T & 502-8104
- Fabric Suppliers: FERRARI FRANCE
- Components Used: N/A
- Components Supplier: N/A
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
This project consists of 15 luxury tent structures, each with an area of approximately 180m_. In addition there is a double conical structure with an area of 600m_.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS PROJECT?
To meet the design brief of an aesthetic structure and to adapt to extreme climate conditions of the area, a three layer structure was used. The interior roof of the tent had an "arabian-style" drape to the fabric for an aesthetic appeal. The two inner fabric layers are clamped to provide a thermal roof seal to the air-conditioned tent. The outer fabric layer has catenary edges to provide flow through ventilation and to enhance cooling. We needed to be extremely environmentally cautious during the development and construction of this project due to the sensitive nature of the site.
- AWARD: SPECIAL COMMENDATION
- DEL-RAY CANVAS AUSTRALIA
- Site Location: SANCTUARY GOLF RESORT, BUNBURY, WA
- Contact: MARK LEWIS
- Address: PO BOX 195, BUNBURY, WA 6231
- Phone: (08) 9725 4433 Fax: (08) 9725 4951
- Email: lewey@gateway.net.au
- Fabric Used: VALMEX FR700
- Fabric Suppliers: PARKINSON & MANN/INDTEX AUSTRALIA
- Components Used: N/A
- Components Supplier: N/A
Other participating entries in Category 7:
ENTRY 1 - COPELANDS & PICKERS
ENTRY 3 - SHADE STRUCTURES BIRDAIR
ENTRY 4 - DEL-RAY CANVAS AUSTRALIA
ENTRY 5 - CUSTOM SHADES
Category 8 - Tension Structures (PVC Solids and Coated Mesh area less than 250sqm)
- AWARD: FIRST PRIZE
- SHADE STRUCTURES BIRDAIR
- Site Location: HIGH STREET, COFFS HARBOUR, NSW
- Contact: RENAE PICKUP
- Address: PO BOX 1256, EAGLE FARM, QLD 4009
- Phone: (07) 3633 5925 Fax: (07) 3633 5999
- Email: ssb@shadebirdair.com
- Fabric Used: FERRARI 1002T
- Fabric Suppliers: FERRARI FRANCE
- Components Used: CABLES
- Components Supplier: CUSTOM CABLES
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The project is comprised of 5 identical fabric structures. Each one consisting of 2 inverted cones with an undulated perimeter edge. Each structure has an area of 234sqm and utilises ferrari 1002t fabric.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS PROJECT?
The design presented some on site challenges in achieving the shade, water runoff and vehicle clearances required by the local authority, while not impinging on existing awnings protruding from the shop buildings that lined the street. These shops and their awnings were deemed of important heritage value and could not be modified. Tight tolerances and precision surveying were required to retain shade and water collection effectiveness while remaining structurally independent of the old awnings.
These structures were designed to incorporate lighting, featuring indirect illumination of the streetscape via reflected light from the cone structures. The inverted cones also incorporated drainage down pipes and concealed electrics within the support columns.
- AWARD: SPECIAL COMMENDATION
- SHADE STRUCTURES BIRDAIR
- Site Location: WILSON ISLAND, GREAT BARRIER REEF, QLD
- Contact: RENAE PICKUP
- Address: PO BOX 1256, EAGLE FARM, QLD 4009
- Phone: (07) 3633 5925 Fax: (07) 3633 5999
- Email: ssb@shadebirdair.com
- Fabric Used: MEHLER FR900 & DEFAB DURAPROOF 8
- Fabric Suppliers: MEHLER GERMANY
- Components Used: N/A
- Components Suppliers: N/A
Other participating entries in Category 8:
ENTRY 1 - PORT DOUGLAS SAILMAKERS PTY LTD
ENTRY 4 - DEL-RAY CANVAS AUSTRALIA
ENTRY 5 - JOINT ENTRY - CANVAS & VINYL SPECIALISTS & DARLING DOWN TARPAULINS
ENTRY 6 - CANVAS & VINYL SPECIALISTS & DARLING DOWNS TARPAULINS
ENTRY 7 - SMITH’S CANVAS & VINYL
ENTRY 8 - HORIZON SAILMAKERS
ENTRY 9 - HORIZON SAILMAKERS
ENTRY 10 - THORLINE PRODUCTS
ENTRY 11 - THORLINE PRODUCTS