Overview

Landscape Bureau of Washington DC approached Fabric Architecture to realise the shade designs included in their proposal. As a permanent structure, the integrity of tensile structures were put to good use in withstanding the snow and wind loads whilst meeting the aesthetic requirements of the architects.

Design solution
Working as closely to the architect’s original design as possible, construction techniques from our Signature Structure range of barrel vaults were used to realize the vision of a simple cantilever vault. Features like the spigot mast-boom connection are from the Classroom design, the tensioning ‘pull-back’ detail is used in a wide variety of our Signature Structures including the Iron Mountain and Stork.

With very little overhang at the rear of the structure, the masts were carefully engineered to anchor to the concrete roof of a basement underneath the play area. The result however still maintained a lightweight look and feel, with the client and their ‘customers’ thoroughly delighted at the result.