Brisbane State Tennis Centre

Fabritecture (UFS Australasia t/a Fabritecture), Casuarina Beach, New South Wales, Australia

The brief from the client was to provide weather protection for two championship-size show courts at the new Queensland State Tennis Center and meet international tennis standards. To reduce visual obstacles for spectators, the preferred design had to be clearspan in both directions and complement the main stadium’s design.

A major constraint was conforming to the International Tennis Federation’s strict height requirements of 12.2m at the net and 9m at the baseline. The design had to adhere to height clearances while still providing maximum protection from sun and rain at the edges of the structure. Detailed preliminary designs were submitted prior to the final design, which consisted of two identical turtleback-shaped canopies.

Each 1100m² canopy is fully framed with CHS curved arches, edge beams and integrated support trusses. Using only one column in each corner increases spectator viewing area. Each structure is clad in tensioned PTFE membrane patterned and fabricated into one piece per structure. A full perimeter custom gutter system collects all stormwater and delivers it to the stormwater system via a half-round gutter, corner sumps and steel downpipes concealed within the four corner columns connected to the stormwater system within the footings.

The project also included custom structural lighting brackets designed specifically to support the 1,000 lux state-of-the-art lighting system required for TV cameras. An integrated electrical wiring system consisting of special brackets to support high level cable trays, wiring running inside the columns and electrical access points for servicing, was also included.