Project Overview: Construction of iconic canopy at World Market Chiang Mai exhibition
Project iconic canopy at the World Market Exhibition Center, Chiang Mai is a unique tensile membrane structure designed to create a landmark for the entire area. Inspired by the leaf motif of the Royal Flora Ratchaphreuk Botanical Park, the structure is a complex engineering challenge, combining large-span structures and sculptural forms.
- Investor: Royal Flora Ratchaphreuk Park (World Market)
- Category: Architectural canopy symbolizing the central square
- Structure: Custom saddle (hypar) membrane, cantilever construction
- Main materials: PVDF stretch film, steel structure
- Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Technical Requirements Analysis & Project Context
The project was developed with the requirement to create a highly symbolic structure for the exhibition area, replacing temporary forms of cover with a sustainable architecture. The main technical and aesthetic requirements included:
- Unique architectural design: The design had to create a fresh, impressive and memorable image, closely related to the park's theme of “flower gardens” and plants.
- Impressive texture: Requires a structural solution capable of large spans, creating a sense of lightness, airiness and technical challenge, avoiding conventional structural forms.
- Multi-function: The space under the canopy must be large enough and free of supporting columns to be flexible for multiple uses such as reception halls, outdoor stages or small exhibition areas.
- In harmony with the context: The leaf design must be expressed in a subtle way, in harmony with the surrounding natural landscape.
Technical Solutions and Implementation Process
To realise an ambitious design concept, Flexiiform's engineering team developed groundbreaking technical solutions for both the structure and the forming details.
Cantilever Structure Design Balanced on 4 Foundation Points
The project’s groundbreaking technical solution is a structural system that is calculated to be completely balanced on just four foundation points. From these four foundation points, two main steel frames extend out in a cantilever shape up to 10 meters without the need for additional supporting columns. This design creates a powerful visual effect, making the giant canopy appear to be floating, while completely freeing up the usable space below.
Creating a 'Leaf' Shape from a Custom Hypar Texture
The basic structure is a hyperbolic paraboloid (hypar) with 2 high points and 2 low points. However, to create the leaf shape, the edges of the tensile membrane are subdivided and connected to different points on the steel frame, forming soft curves that simulate the edges of the leaf. In addition, the welds connecting the panels are intentionally arranged to form a 'vein' pattern, enhancing the visual effect. This is a high-tech application of architectural stretch canvas.
PVDF Stretch Film Material
The material chosen was PVDF membrane, which has high durability, flexibility to form complex curved surfaces and long life, befitting an iconic building, built to last.
Results and Performance Evaluation
Project iconic canopy After completion, it has become a unique architectural work, a must-see destination at the Royal Flora Ratchaphreuk exhibition area and park.
- In terms of architecture and identity: The project has become a new, unique and memorable symbol, closely associated with the image of the exhibition area.
- Technically: Successfully designed and constructed a large-span, complex-shaped tensile membrane cantilever structure, demonstrating a high level of technical capability.
- About function: Providing a large, flexible, completely column-free covered space, it effectively caters to a wide range of events.
- About the visitor experience: The unique design has enhanced the visitor experience, becoming a popular photo and check-in location, contributing to promoting the exhibition area.
Contact Technical Consulting
Flexiiform specializes in providing architectural design and construction solutions for tensile membranes for projects with high aesthetic and technical requirements. For detailed advice on your project, please contact our team of engineers directly.
Contact information:
Company: Flexiiform
Website: https://flexiiform.vn
Hotline/Email: [Your contact information]
