Sails for a stadium

[Sail Structures] Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia

The architect’s design for a sports stadium was based on a roofing system with a clearspan of 85 by 42 meters with no internal support columns. Due to engineering requirements, the outside could not be fully enclosed and had to let wind blow through, but the client needed weather protection for the court surface. The only way to meet requirements, without compromising the structural integrity of the building, was to use fabric sails. Sail Structureshelped to develop a concept that included overlapping membrane sails attached under the main roof, which projected several meters outside the playing surface. Set at a 45-degree angle with the lowest point four meters above the ground, the sails allow wind to blow through, but protect the playing surface.