Fabric canopies from MakMax Australia were specified for the Perth Airport upgrade project in 2015 to shelter passengers from the elements at the bus and taxi shelter.
Taking off on the airport theme, the canopies feature a white folding form, reminiscent of the lines and creases of folding paper planes, creating a series of winged shapes that shield passengers from the sun, wind and rain.
The canopies utilise a high-performance PTFE fabric, Sheerfill V from Saint-Gobain USA, which allows the low planar forms to be achieved without ponding, while providing excellent durability and light transmission thanks to its Teflon coating and fibreglass yarn composition.
The fabric canopies are positioned on sloping columns clad with Ultrabond PVDF coated composite aluminium panels that are facetted to reflect the planar wing aesthetic. The design team explained that it provided the necessary robustness required for its primary function as a transit point for arriving or departing passengers.
Delivering substantial spans and cantilevers, the fabric canopies minimised the frequency of pillars, helping to overcome a number of challenges such as the impact of footings on existing services in ground. They were also more cost-efficient compared to traditional posts and sheet metal canopies.
