The team at Paradise Zoo contacted us in need of engineering expertise in designing and building a robust animal enclosure for their ‘Jaguar Jungle’, a first of its kind habitat in the UK for Jaguars with underwater viewing, set to open this year.
Our in-house expert Andy Traynor proposed a solution of a stainless steel cable net structure that would provide the stability and safety required for these category 1 animals.
The 32m x 30m net enclosure is split into two areas, one large and one smaller with a dividing wall and 5 net sections within, those sections are then stitched to the roof net cables along the perimeter beam. The central masts hold up a series of roof net cables that fan out to join the perimeter steelwork.
We designed, engineered and installed the 31 stainless steel structural cables and erected the 5 steel nets to cover the entire roof area of the enclosure, fixing to existing masts. The cable net is engineered to withstand all wind and snow loadings to ensure continued protection.
The result is a sleek and robust enclosure that maximises habitat space and animal welfare whilst providing visitor safety. The team at the zoo were very pleased with their new structure, Craig Whitnall, Commercial Director said “I couldn’t speak more highly of Base Structures, from the initial enquiry for advice, Andy has been an excellent source of advice and support”
For more information on the Jaguar Jungle visit the Paradise Wildlife Park website: New Jaguar Habitat coming soon… | Paradise Wildlife Park (pwpark.com)
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
Arup approached Base to be involved in this ground breaking project for Urban-Air Port and Six Miles Across London Ltd (small.) to install the first Vertiport to serve as a drone hub called Air One. This structure is the blueprint for the first of many as Urban-Air Port have ambitious plans to install around 200 Vertiports worldwide in the next 5 years.
Base designed, manufactured and installed the external fabric cladding roof & wall panels as well as the internal drum wall window panels, circumjacent to the moveable FATO drone launchpad in the structure’s centre. A number of other elements within the structure were also provided by Base, including a polycarbonate pelmet, skirt and door surrounds.
With multiple trades and designers involved in this complicated & intricate project, collaboration & coordination was key to making it a success. With an incredibly tight installation programme, there was no scope for error, and we were pleased to successfully install our element of the project on programme & in only 4 weeks!
The final result is a stunning 17,000 ft² structure that will be a great showcase to launchpad an example of Urban-Air Port’s plans for more Vertiports.
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
Located in the heart of England at Twycross Zoo, The Gruffalo Discovery Land has been developed in partnership with brand managers Magic Light Pictures and is inspired by the best-selling picture book The Gruffalo written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. The aim of the four-acre experience is to educate and inspire the next generation about conservation – something that is critical to the future of many species as well as the planet.
Wates Smart Space working with Twycross Zoo approached us to help them develop a scheme for a new replacement Owl Aviary at the zoo. With a recent increase in avian flu at the time, the zoo were concerned about cross contamination with other smaller native wild birds.
We worked with the team at Wates to identify a more suitable finer mesh that would prevent other birds from entering the enclosure, and significantly reduce the risk of transmission.
We designed, engineered and erected the timber frames, stainless steel knit mesh, keepers vestibules, owl boxes and two gates as part of the project.
The result is a more robust owl enclosure that helps prevent risk of cross contamination whilst still maximizing habitat space and animal welfare.
The Gruffalo Discovery Land at Twycross Zoo is open from Saturday 9th April 2022. To buy tickets, go to www.twycrosszoo.org/the-gruffalo-discovery-land
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
The team at CR Contracting North Ltd approached us to assist them with developing the scheme for a new canopy and outdoor seating area at the Aden Country Park in Abderdeenshire, who host regular events and concerts.
We identified that a structure from our range, the Malvern 6P1000 would best suit the clients needs, providing the required shade and sheltered event space, and saving on budget and time as it has been pre-designed.
We installed the steel frame, PVC membrane and associated fittings and fixtures.
The canopy enables greater use of the outdoor space available at the park and looks stunning in the silvery grey fabric colour selected, giving it that extra special wow factor for prestigious events.
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
The team at John Sisk & Sons working on the newly built Pelletstown Railway Station, approached us to help them with a triple canopy scheme that would provide ample bicycle shelter space for the commuters and travellers and allow greener use of public transport.
We created a bespoke design for each of the three canopies. The steelwork frames were manufactured in the UK and installed by SISK. The PVC fabric membranes and associated fixings and fittings were installed by Base Structures.
Along with the logistical challenges of travel restrictions between UK and Ireland at that time, summer 2021 during the Covid-19 Pandemic, we also had the challenges of working next to a live railway line into our safety procedures.
The end result is an attractive suite of highly functional fabric canopies that will improve the travelling experience for travellers and make it more practical and environmentally friendly for people to travel to the station by bicycle.
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
The Forum at the University of Hertfordshire College Lane Campus is undergoing a significant redevelopment to include new social facilities and expansion of the teaching space.
The Main Contractor for the redevelopment project, Wilmot Dixon, asked us to design, supply and install an external fabric entrance canopy at The Forum to form part of this expansion.
Part of the brief was for the structure to be free-standing and not connected to the building. Our solution was an attractive bespoke L-shaped barrel-vaulted canopy that would achieve the required roof coverage area for the new outdoor space.
The result is an eye-catching structure expanding the space ready for the improved teaching and socialising experience at The Forum.
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
The University estates team approached us to help them create a series of 4 outdoor learning solutions located in the four main campuses across the Heslington Site, Seebohm Rowntree, James College, Law Plaza and Constantine College Plaza.
They were looking to extend their lectures outdoors during the pandemic and on a longer term basis going forward and be able to set up a number of outdoor laptop stations.
The Cairngorm canopy from our pre-designed range was selected to suit the university’s needs and to fit within their budget, and it allowed for 16 users and screens to fit under each canopy with appropriate distancing.
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
Event Communications Ltd approached us to help them develop a series of 9 fabric wave sculptures to embody the water element of the new Viking exhibition, menacingly titled The Raid!, and which opened June 2021. The waves help create a dynamic & natural flow for visitors as they follow the tour.
Our solution utilised similar details from a project we were proudly involved in with Zaha Hadid, the JS Bach Music Hall – Zaha Hadid | Base Structures, and encompasses a light aluminium modular framing system. Double skinned stretched spandex fabric, patterned specifically for the complex organic geometries, provides a soft sense motion and defines the exhibit space the museum were looking for.
The finished fabric forms add theatre to the installation with a sense of the ocean to fit with the origins of the Vikings. A separate blackout skin fitted between the spandex allows the museum to project imagery onto the fabric as part of the exhibit and because of the modular design, the structures can be used again for future exhibitions.
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
As part of the regeneration of Whitehill & Borden and the creation and place-making of Prince Phillip Park, our client approached us for a market square canopy because they were looking to create a destination market space in their new town square called ‘The Shed’ (Town Centre – Prince Philip Park). This brand new space is offering arts and crafts, entertainment and dining.
Having seen our range of pre-designed structures the client was keen to install a canopy from our Malvern Range, namely the 4P700 because it suited the space very well and will cover a large area providing shelter for shoppers and town centre socialising.
We supplied and installed the canopy and base plates to the Budds Lane site within a 12 week programme in time for summer social events planned within this brand new community space and ready for the grand opening.
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…
Trepassey care home had been undergoing extensive redevelopment involving a series of extensions and garden terraces. So our client approached us to provide a barrel-vault canopy to the new landscaped garden. The canopy was to double as a covered seating area for the residents to enjoy the attractive surroundings and to provide a 52m door to door sheltered walkway to protect from the elements.
A continuous series of tensile PVC fabric canopies comprising 15 bays, supporting steel masts and rolled arches. Also with PPC aluminium extrusions and electro-polished s/s membrane plates. This allowed us to achieve the curvature required to fit the garden shape and crescent walkway path accurately.
A structure like this in an elevated position overlooking The Wirral will withstand inclement weather conditions and provide a robust shelter and shade. Because of this the residents will be able to spend more time outside for fresh air and safe distanced socialising.
For our clients who run and manage zoos, animal welfare is their top priority. Most zoos exist as an opportunity not just for the public…