Fabric Architecture has just completed a very tricky two week installation of a complex structure on the roof of the Snow Hill Homeless Centre in Birmingham’s City Centre.

250 m2 of Solar Glass Weave Fabric was lifted up seven stories by a Self Erecting 1.9 tonne Tower Crane. Special precautions were taken to ensure the crane did not swing out over the nearby railroad and high winds added to the challenge.

A scaffold deck had to be built over the courtyard (seven stories above ground) to create a platform. This platform allowed Installation Engineers to install the steelwork, the six head-rings and then tension out all of the fabric canopies – a tricky task on the roof of a building.  

The Solar Glass Weave fabric (with its 40% light transmission properties) and clear poly-carb head-rings allow an abundance of light to flood the courtyard. The end result is a landmark bespoke Conic structure offering all weather protection (without compromising sunlight) to the inner courtyard. 

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