Every year a covered green space in which to relax is generated within London’s famous Square Mile as a place where executives and their clients can go to view dinner time theatrical and musical events. Base Structures were commissioned by the client to replace the existing tensile fabric covers in Exchange Square, which were starting to look tired.
In order to reproduce the existing covers Base Structures design department had to survey the steel and cable net structure from which they could generate the ‘form’ of the new structures.
As you can see from the pictures, this was achieved very successfully and the new fabric structure once again looks fit for purpose.
This curved stainless steel structure was conceived by LDS for Architecture Week, it was fabricated and installed in Exhibition Road for the day then moved and permanently reinstalled at the architects practice in the evening following the exhibition.
Base Structures provided detail design input, fabricated and installed the structure and dealt with the site logistics, all project managed by Mark Smith.
Base Structures won the bid to design, manufacture and install Denmark’s most extensive tensile fabric project in the country. The deal was to deliver a striking, multifaceted fabric facade and walkway metro link for Copenhagen’s flagship shopping centre, Frederiksberg, working alongside FlexCover and main contractor Hoffmann.
The edgy, geometric design by architect KHR comprises of fabric slabs at varying angles and planes to form a unique textured fabric wrap. Base Structures’ role comprised of the design of both the steel and fabric elements as well as the fabrication and installation of all the fabric and fittings. To ensure a smooth installation programme, Base elected to prototype several panels to test and iron out any unforeseen technicalities.
The fabric wrap brings a cohesive visual look to the new shopping centre which will see the existing building extended by two floors, linked to the metro with the addition of a roof top car park.
The sports hall situated in Fynshav, Denmark were after a mesh vaulted interior ceiling, so partnering up with BK Teknik – our preferred partner for Danish construction projects, we got started with the single membrane measuring approximately 20m x 42m.
The tensile fabric is supported by a series of suspended headrings in the centre of the roof structure which is then pulled down and tensioned to a series of timber glulam beams via a traditional membrane plate and cable perimeter edge.
The purpose of this membrane is not only to improve the appearance of the internal space but also to diffuse the natural light which enters the building via the extensive sky-lighting. Both certainly are the case for this project!
This new restaurant in the high profile area of Camden required a retractable roof system for open air dining in the summer months. The tensile fabric membranes needed to allow natural light into the restaurant when the roof is closed, enhancing the interior space as well as being a dynamic feature.
We designed, manufactured and installed the motorised retractable roof system and the fabric membrane.
Home to Dim sum, sushi and cocktails, the roof system perfectly compliments the elaborate Indian-chic setting with wood carvings and an open kitchen.
A new generation of temporary mobile structures was to be developed for the festival and entertainment sector, starting life at Glastonbury Festival 2007 as the Glade Stage.
We made the fabric roof canopy in PVC and the steel in a light weight lattice structure that has the ability to cope with different ground conditions, depending on the location of the event or festival.
A practical and visually appealing solution to temporary event stages within the entertainment industry.
The client, Glaxo Smith Kline, were obliged to provide the screens to the side of their building in Ware, Hertfordshire, in order to obscure the large M&E ductwork behind. The screens will eventually support Wisteria climbing plants, which will grow and increase in weight over the years.
The GSK Living Screens project comprises three large steel frames approx 11m wide and 17m high to each of which are fitted five separate sections of cable mesh. The architectural mesh is supported by means of perimeter stainless steel cables which are in turn connected to the structure via fabricated stainless steel plates. The support system has a tension absorbing spring system. Wisteria climbing poles are fitted in front of the mesh. The purpose of the screens is to support vegetative growth which is in turn intended to conceal the ductwork behind.
In order that the growing climbing plants do not overstrain the netting and structure, the horizontal support cables incorporate stress relieving springs. The mesh fitted is a high quality Swiss made product renowned for its appearance and performance, precisely patterned to fit each application.
This luxury hotel were looking for a retractable awning system for their central terrace in order to make the space ideal for al fresco dining and outdoor events. With a prime location in the heart of Guilford, the retractable awning had to compliment their 4-star rating, so an En-fold system was chosen from our retractable range, fitting the clients needs perfectly.
With the En-fold system already pre-designed by Uni Systems, Base were employed to design and provide the structural steel support as well as completing the manufacturing of the fabric panels.
For this project, Tenara fabric was used, which is ideal for folding fabric systems as well as offering a boastfully long life span and a high level of translucency.
With guttering incorporated into the system, the En-Fold was ideal for Radisson to provide shade in extreme sunshine conditions as well as an al fresco dining experience, even in light rain showers.
As one of the world’s largest engineering consultancy practices, Arup commissioned a futuristic design, merging the digital world into physical architecture. Following the No.8@Arup competition and DaeWah Kang Design’s winning entry, “Heart of Arup,” Base were approached to source, supply and install this innovative art installation.
Forging a relationship with the design team, Base was approached to source, supply and install the stainless steel cable system and aluminium stretchers for this exciting project. Our challenge was to develop a suitable design for the project that not only met the budget constraints, yet was also delivered to an extremely tight deadline for the installation – within one weekend! After successful completion, Arup is now able to experiment with the installation and we’re excited to see what this could mean for the future of media architecture.
The Heart of Arup is an interactive multimedia experience that now gracefully hangs within the atrium space at Arup’s global headquarters in London. Social media feeds from the company’s network, Yammer, and is visible within the six storey office. The art installation can be seen from many different points within the building, encouraging a natural form of communication from both public and working spaces.
Every world class cargo centre needs a world class dining area. The Cairngorm P100 structure needed to brighten up the site and provide shelter and shade for dining as well as complimenting the centre with an architectural glow.
Clothed in PTFE fabric, supported by stainless steel tubular tripods in all four corners and with a timber seating plinth mounted on the central mast, this structure truly is the benchmark against which all other standards should be measured.
In addition to the improved material specification, the design also called for a raised water diverter to the entire perimeter of the cone and therefore the corner plates to match have a built-in means of water catchment and disposal. The client particularly requested this enhanced level of specification for their new structure and amongst the high specification features is an extended warranty giving years of worry free use.
Our pre-designed canopy, Cairngorm 1P 1000 structure has had several outings in various guises over the last few years, but here it is shown in its most resplendent configuration to date.
in Bristol
