A well-rounded education, in fabric

Emmanuel Catholic College in Beeliar, Western Australia, liked an existing conic, tensile, fabric-roofed sports court, so when funding allowed development of an additional recreational and sports facility, the college preferred a similar design with a central post. Enter Greenline Shade & Shelter Pty. Ltd., a Wagga Wagga, New South Wales firm hired to coordinate the design and implementation process. The company proposed a well-rounded alternative with a similar appearance and budget—but no central post to hamper large-scale events.

Greenline’s structure involves two ring beams, one at the top to tie the roof’s “spokes” together, another supporting the cantilever arms from the vertical posts. The cover fabric, Ferrari Precontraint® 1202 with a T2 coating, attaches to the large ring beam and provides an attractive eave overhang, good ventilation, diffused light and weather protection. The whole structure was built with beams less than 40 feet long to reduce freight costs and simplify steel fabrication. Massive roller doors make moving equipment in and out a breeze, giving the structure greater versatility.