ETFE Global Projects - Macquarie University Arts Precinct - Australia
Taiyo Middle East LLC
Defying the limits of membranes. Innovative tensile membrane structures: ETFE, PTFE, .Design, engineering, installation
We are pleased to showcase one of our latest global ETFE projects: the ETFE Roof at Macquarie University Arts Precinct
A modern, lightweight translucent roof elegantly connects the buildings within Macquarie University's Arts Precinct. The TensoSky ETFE roof not only covers the rooftop gardens of two structures but also forms an internal atrium at the center of the arts complex.
The Brief
The design aimed to flood the deep atriums with ample natural light, ensuring that the ground-level plaza areas remained bright and airy. At the upper terrace levels, the architectural plan called for a sunlit terrace featuring plants and vegetation, creating an internal garden space for students and faculty. ETFE was the perfect solution due to its superior light transmission and UV transparency, fulfilling the project's requirements seamlessly.
The Concept
The lead structural engineer, in collaboration with the project architect, designed aesthetically pleasing cigar trusses to span the open atrium spaces between major truss elements. These trusses also facilitated roof water drainage through box gutters. A significant challenge was integrating our proprietary TensoSky ETFE extrusion systems into these cigar trusses without compromising the architectural vision, which required a unique fixing detail.
Concealing the air supply lines was another key architectural requirement, necessitating careful planning due to the extensive roof coverage and limited areas to hide service conduits. We developed a complex air distribution piping network, paying special attention to the placement of pressure monitoring sensors within the conduit system.
The Materials
For this project, we selected Japanese-made AGC Fluon? film, a completely clear ETFE material. The MakMax team conducted detailed analyses to determine the appropriate foil thicknesses for the site's wind speeds, utilizing wind tunnel testing to evaluate peak pressure loads. Using advanced form-finding techniques, we designed the necessary 2D shapes to create a 3D cushion, which were then sent to our factory for final fabrication.
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The cushions are supported by our proprietary aluminum extrusion systems, featuring an integrated gasket clamping system that ensures pressure maintenance and watertightness at all joints.
The Result
The ETFE roof at Macquarie University Arts Precinct is an exceptionally lightweight structure that, through its transparency, enhances other architectural elements such as the stunning roof garden and the open-air atrium. The entire construction was delivered to a remarkably high architectural standard, with the ETFE roof resembling a floating crown that elegantly caps the project. We are proud to have contributed to such a fantastic endeavor.
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