Tensile architecture projects such as barriers on bridges and elevated walkways can provide people with an open-air experience in complete safety. But they can go even further by transforming urban environments in rather unexpected ways!
For example, stainless steel tensile materials can be used to support a range of public projects, from street art and catenary lighting to green facades and hanging gardens. In some cases, the materials can become a feature in their own right, such as when used to create colourful mosaic displays.
Here are 5 of our top tensile architecture project examples.
1. Award-winning school transformation in inner Melbourne
The transformation of St Kilda Primary School included a range of indoor and outdoor spaces for both learning and play.
Tensile architecture enhanced the project through the addition of translucent safety barriers and a sports ball screen, and a pretty amazing climbing-plant wall in the play area. The completed green wall provides a range of benefits including shade, cooling, airflow, dappled light, visual appeal, and a connection point between inside and outside.
The school’s upgrade certainly impressed the judges in the Victorian School Designs Awards for 2024, taking out the best school project award in the $5m to $15m category!
2. School expansion in the garden city reaches for the heights
The expansion of Adelaide Botanic High School includes stunning multistorey contemporary architecture, flexible learning spaces, breakout balcony spaces, and a rooftop sports area.
Tensile architectural materials were used for barriers and fences to the rooftop sports court and the student balconies. One of the great things about Webnet is the way it allows for larger spans and fewer poles intruding into the space. This was certainly the case with the perimeter barrier for the court, which provides full safety while allowing clear views over surrounding areas.
3. Brightly coloured sculptural footbridge shines in Sydney
The designers of the Christopher Cassaniti Bridge (formerly Lachlan’s Line Bridge) in Sydney’s North Ryde wanted people to experience the bright blue helical-shaped bridge as if “walking through a sculpture”.
But the bridge also needed a practical anti-thrown protection screen for maximum safety along the sections that cross the road. It was crucial that this screen didn’t detract from the bridge’s unique design.
Tensile Webnet mesh was chosen for the task, as only a highly malleable material like Webnet could fit the bill. It adapts to the twists and turns of the structure, providing the required safety without interrupting the bridge’s appearance or blocking views.
4. Hanging garden transforms a Sydney office building
No one could accuse the Workshop in Pyrmont of being a boring office building – especially not with its giant suspended hanging plants in the building’s central atrium area.
This job was a first of its kind for us, and one that needed a cable system to safely suspend the planters while preventing tilting or swaying. After a lot of design and engineering work we were able to make it come together, by building a cable transfer frame to keep the planters steady and prevent spillage. The finished result speaks for itself!
5. Pedestrian and cyclist bridge glides over the Swan River in Perth
This s-curve bridge was designed to give a sense of movement. The barrier for the bridge needed to be light in appearance and flexible enough to adapt to the structure’s snake-like curves.
Once again tensile Webnet was up to the job, enabling creation of a barrier that is not only robust, but also elegant and seemingly seamless in appearance.
Interested in finding out more about tensile architecture systems? Feel free to give us a call today!
