Aluxor Awning Systems ’ Discus cassette retractable awnings were selected by Tennis Australia at the Sydney Olympic Tennis Centre to create premium seating areas at the recent Medibank International tennis tournament.

Tennis Australia approached an Aluxor distributor, Blinds by Peter Meyer, for a sun shade solution that would conform to the tight technical specifications and unique installation issues for the stadium.

The amphitheatre shape of the stadium required customising the awnings with fabric cut on the diagonal and positioning the arms so as to provide maximum shade coverage when extended, without impeding the sight lines of patrons in the upper stands.

Aluxor Awning Systems prepared a number of full size prototypes in their factory and on-site at the stadium to demonstrate the performance capability of the awnings and enable optimal design, sizing and installation solutions.

The final configuration was for two banks of 12 awnings on the eastern and western sides of the stadium, housed in customised PFC structures to match the existing stadium design. The project management and installation was led by Blinds by Peter Meyer.

Somfy remote motors were selected, which could enable a court-side official to retract all 24 awnings within 30 seconds using a hand held control. Soltis fabric was used to provide light filtration and, critically, enabled an even roll of the diagonal cut fabric.

Aluxor Awning Systems manufacture German designed retractable awnings, conservatory and vertical sunshade systems.