Green School Whaka

Project Title:            Green School New Zealand
Project Completed: May 2020
Approximate Size:   19m L x 12m W x 6m H
Project Location:     Koru, Taranaki
FABRICS:
1. Type and Grade of Fabric Used – 580gsm PVC

2. Name of Fabric (or Trade name) used: Mehler Valmex lodge de lux FR

3. Fabric Manufacturer – Mehler – Germany

4. Fabric Supplier – Mehler – Germany

PROJECT CREDITS:

1. Engineer : Membrane & Steel – Xiang Du, Fabspan.
2. Design: Membrane & Steel – Kayne Jacobsen, Fabric structures.
3. Architect: Glen Brebner, Milca Severo, Boon.
4. Fabrication: Vaughan Bownes, Fabric Structures / Palmer Canvas.
5. Subcontractor Geoff Hale, Meco Engineering Co.
6. Project Manager James Bunn, Fabric Structures.
7. Installation Kayne Jacobson, Fabric Structures.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
To provide an outer skin from a material that can be recycled if / when replaced and that also blends into the environment. Wastage of non-recyclable materials to be kept to a minimum.
It was requested by the architect that we supply a membrane solution for three pod like classrooms for Green School New Zealand to function as an aesthetic cladding and to create a ventilated thermal barrier to reduce heat soak into the building. This was to complement the “green” label for the structure reducing running costs and adding an organic look.

The overall complexity to the project was the shape involved and construction materials used. The glulam timber beams created large tolerances on site requiring steel to be custom fit to each of the three structures and 3d digitizing to design and construct the membranes. The high stretch of the fabric paired with the shape of the structure added the additional complexity of staged tensioning over multiple weeks.

The result of the membrane solution supplied was a unique aesthetically pleasing finish that compliments the environment in which they stand.

The Green School Pods (Classrooms) were an opportunity for us to display our capabilities to create complex membrane designs and display the aesthetic advantages of fabrics in a high profile project