Cantilevered Shade Sail Structures
Shade sail structures supported by uprights on only one side - known as cantilevered shade sail structures - offer enormous scope in terms of design and function. Unlike traditional shade sails, which are suspended between a series of alternating high and low columns, cantilever shade structures can be suitably positioned to maximise the trajectory of the sun through the spring and summer sky, more often than not providing excellent protection for highly exposed westerly aspects.
Cantilever Shade Sail Structures at Tip Top Car Wash
We have recently completed 2 x cantilever shade sail structures at the Tip Top Car Wash in Richmond, South Australia. The structures are quite different from each other - one protruding from an entrance wall from the car wash, and one providing protection for their customers enjoying a coffee and a magazine whilst waiting for their cars to be cleaned.
This particular type of cantilevered shade structure is great in that absolutely no additional uprights are required. Additional shade is created without introducing the problem of obstructions for cars entering and exiting the car wash.
The other shade structure takes a "bird wing" form, and scallops strategically around 2 palm trees.
We had to pattern the membrane to include holes for the trees, with additional allowance made for the trunks to thicken over time without damaging the membrane.
Another great result.
Cheers, Tim
0 commentsShade Sails in Car Washes
Shade sails and shade structures are becoming increasingly popular for car washes and the car wash cafes. Besides providing all important shade for customers and car wash staff, shade sails and structures can be designed to maximise the visual impact they have upon their surrounding environs, thus creating eye catching features that demand the attention of passing by drivers and traffic.
Shade Sails at Flufferz Car Wash
We recently completed a magnificent shade sail structure at Flufferz Car Wash in Hampstead Gardens, South Australia. Working closely with the owners and the architects for the project, the concept involved multiple columns and shade sails that really catch the attention of passers by, whilst providing a comfortable outdoor area adjacent to the cafe, and providing much needed shade for staff.
I believe the end result to be nothing short of spectacular:
Shade Structure to Fix Gateway Fountain!
You've probably read about the water evaporation and leakage problems with the Gateway Fountain, at the entrance to Adelaide from the South Eastern Freeway in Glen Osmond. Well I've come up with a design concept - involving an awesome looking cantilevered shade structure - that minimises water evaporation, potentially adds up to 100,000 litres of water catchment per year, and defines us Adelaide folks as leaders in environmentally-friendly design and responsible development.
We do have a bit of a problem up there in Glen Osmond, with the fountain having been plagued by water loss problems since its inception. The Department for Transport, Energy, and Infrastructure in SA have confirmed that up until the fountain was switched off in 2007, it was losing an average of 997,000 litres of water per year.
Few, including myself and local garden guru Michael Keelan, believe that the water loss is just from evaporation, with leakage inherent in design and construction flaws also being blamed. However, we can address the evaporation and catchment issues at the very least.
The Fountain Shade Structure Concept
If we built a waterproof cantilevered shade structure such as my design concept as follows, we would shield the water from the sun's rays thus minimising evaporation, and create an approximately 250sqm catchment area to channel stormwater to storage, collecting up to 100,000 litres of water for recycling back into the fountain. Further, by using fabric for the roofing materials, we minimise the environmental impact of the shade structure as it requires less steel than traditional solid roof shade structures, and incorporates 100% recyclable materials.
Sounds good in theory - let's check out the initial design concept:
So not only is the concept environmentally friendly, I think it's also highly visually appealing and would enhance the entrance to our city dramatically. Lighting systems can be incoporated into the underside of the framework that would create an awesome effect for visitors driving in from the Freeway.
Anyway, that's my thought for the day - I'd be really interested to hear any thoughts you may have, please contact me and let me know!
Cheers, Tim
Conic Shade Structures
Shade structures and shade sails continue to evolve, as the creative minds within the shade structure and tension membrane industries continue to push the boundaries of design, function, and form. In particular, the rapid development of the conic shaped shade structure - sparked initially by the growing number of PVC umbrellas in the Australian alfresco dining and cafe scene - must be noted.
Shade Structures with Conic Shapes
Shade structures adopting conic shapes are now making their way into vast and varying situations and applications, right throughout Australia. When the fabric is patterned to perfectly accomodate the three dimensional form that it will adopt on installation, it can be guaranteed a long life with minimal "flapping", and can outlast the life of its freespanning shade sail counterparts quite dramatically.
Here is a structure we have recently completed at Sturt Child Care Centre in South Australia, that shows the free form of a conic shaped shade structure perfectly:
Conic shade structures require minimal maintenance and when constructed with the best materials and installation know-how, will provide many years of form and function for owners and users alike.
Cheers, Tim
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