Current Situation and Solution: Design and Construction of The Cloud Wharf Canopy – Multi-purpose and Innovative Event Solution
In the large-scale event industry, creating a flexible, expressive space that is highly adaptable to site conditions is a major challenge. The Cloud Pier Cover, originally developed for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, is a semi-permanent, multi-purpose exhibition and event structure at Queen’s Wharf in Auckland, New Zealand. Measuring nearly 600 feet long and capable of holding up to 6,000 people, the structure is a prime example of breakthroughs in tensile membrane architectural design, particularly in realizing a complex organic form on a load-bearing wharf foundation.
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Technical Requirements Analysis & Solution Context
The Cloud project poses many technical requirements and specific contexts:
* Complex organic shapes: The architects envisioned a structure with organic, curvaceous shapes that required creativity in fabrication and erection.
* Urgent progress: The requirement to complete before the 2011 Rugby World Cup forced the project to have a very urgent construction schedule.
* Site constraints: Queen's Wharf is over 100 years old with limited load-bearing capacity, requiring lightweight structural solutions and precise load balancing.
* Multi-purpose: The structure needs to be flexible to accommodate both exhibitions and a variety of events.
This context requires a structural solution that is lightweight, durable, easy to install, aesthetically pleasing and adaptable to complex foundation conditions.
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Technical Solutions
The Cloud pier canopy solution has been realized through the application of advanced design and construction techniques, combining modern materials to overcome the challenges:
Organic Shape Design and Structure
To bring the architects’ designs for The Cloud’s organic form to life, a series of identically shaped structural trusses were created for efficient fabrication. By varying the height and angle of these trusses, engineers achieved the flowing, curvaceous form the architects envisioned. The limited load-bearing capacity of the 100-year-old wharf required precise load balancing of the structural mezzanine columns with the existing wharf mezzanine columns, ensuring the stability of the entire structure.
Material selection and properties
Coated PES (Polyester) fabric is the main material used for the roof, thanks to its speed and ease of installation, along with its high durability, formability and self-cleaning qualities. The wall and roof panels of the north mezzanine are made of ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene), creating a window-like appearance, allowing light to pass through and maintaining a sense of openness. The entrances along the base of the building use composite aluminium panels, and PES coated ceiling linings have been installed at both the south entrance and the north mezzanine. These panels are stretched from powder-coated aluminium profiles, ensuring aesthetics and durability.
Construction process
Because the project was on a tight timetable, installation began in the centre and proceeded in both directions, allowing two installation teams to work simultaneously. This approach optimised construction time, a key factor in meeting the 2011 Rugby World Cup deadline.
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Results and Performance Evaluation
The Cloud Wharf has proven to be a great solution to the technical and time-consuming challenges of the project. Not only did it achieve the complex organic form envisioned by the architect, but it was also completed within a tight schedule on an aging wharf foundation with limited load-bearing capacity. The choice of PES and ETFE materials provided a lightweight, durable, self-cleaning and aesthetically pleasing covering solution. Precise load balancing and parallel construction methods ensured the stability of the structure on a challenging site.
The Cloud has become a successful multi-purpose semi-permanent exhibition and event structure, serving thousands of people and demonstrating the potential of tensile membrane architecture in creating large-scale, flexible and iconic structures for international events.
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Contact Technical Consulting
Flexiiform is proud to be one of the leading units in Vietnam providing solutions for designing and constructing tensioned canvas. With its predecessor originating from the company FasTech, Flexiiform team gathers experts with over 10 years of experience in the industry along with a team of consultants providing solutions according to the requirements for a variety of models and projects at home and abroad. We are committed to providing high quality solutions for The Cloud wharf and similar projects, meeting strict requirements for design, construction and function.
For expert advice on stretcher solutions or to request a detailed quote, please contact us.
Contact information:
Company: Flexiiform
Phone: +84 8678 68830
Website: https://flexiiform.vn/
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/flexiiform/
