TEXTILES.ORG
The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, Europe’s largest indoor climbing arena, is replacing its original membrane roof, which has come to the end of its lifespan.
Base Structures has been contracted to engineer, fabricate and install the replacement roof, together with any necessary ancillary metalwork.
The fabric detailing will ensure it reaches the optimum lifespan for the fabric, with Base Structure specifying a more modern PVC membrane, Mehler TS400 Crystal, which has a translucency of 40% and a higher tensile strength.
“The specified lifespan of tensile fabric is only valid if the detailing and finishing that goes into tensioning the final structure is up to scratch,” said Mark Smith, head of projects at Base Structures.
The 8,500 sq. m. tensile fabric roof spans the climbing arena, which is built into a quarry and features the famous aerial assault course that towers 30 m. above ground level.
Completion is due in December, and the centre will remain open for the duration of the work.
Founded in 2001 and operating worldwide, Base Structures is a subcontractor offering a one-stop shop for the design, manufacture and installation of tensile fabric structures. Notable projects include Up at The O2, Heathrow Terminal 5, London 2012 sporting venues, Eden Project and the Mound Stand at Lords Cricket Ground.