Big Rubber Duck

BUILD

In an exciting collaboration, Fabric Structures was involved in the concept, design, and fabrication of a massive art installation—a 40-foot/12-meter inflatable rubber duck—commissioned for the launch of New Zealand's rebranded Channel FOUR. The installation, brought to life in Auckland Harbour, was designed by internationally acclaimed Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, known for his playful, oversized public art that captures the imagination of viewers worldwide. This marks the first time one of Hofman’s giant inflatable installations made its way to Australasia, creating a buzz and drawing crowds to the waterfront.

The duck, a beloved icon wherever it travels, became an instant hit, providing both a fun spectacle and a taste of what the public could expect from Channel FOUR’s new image. Fabric Structures played a critical role in bringing this vision to life, from initial design discussions to the complex fabrication processes needed to create a structure of such scale.

The project exemplified not only artistic creativity but also engineering ingenuity, ensuring the duck was both visually striking and structurally sound to withstand Auckland’s harbour conditions. The duck is made from rubber-coated PVC and has a machine inside that constantly recirculates air to keep it inflated, much like a bouncy castle. Inside is a six-tonne custom-made pontoon to keep it afloat and give the duck its shape.