Hightex Group plc, a systems engineering company for textile architecture and cable systems of large area membrane roofs and façades, won an International Achievement Award (IAA) for design excellence in specialty fabrics applications for the art installation “Leviathan,” a work created by the British artist Anish Kapoor.
The award was presented by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) on Oct. 24 at IFAI Specialty Fabrics Expo 2013.
“Leviathan” was exhibited at the MONUMENTA event in the Grand Palais, Paris, in May 2011. It is one of the largest sculptures Kapoor has ever created.
Hightex was responsible for the engineering, production and installation of the sculpture. The “Leviathan” sculpture is made of a PVC-coated polyester membrane skin spanning an area of more than 13,000 sq.m. Using high-frequency welding, Hightex engineers welded the sculpture, which was delivered in four pieces, into one outstanding artwork. The walk-in sculpture was 100 meters long, approximately 35 meters high and weighed 12 tons. It looked like an inflatable object, clamped on the ground, and was coloured in the Bordeaux-red specifically requested by the artist.
Frank Molter, Hightex CEO, said: “We are pleased that our work won the award of this renowned design prize. This is an acknowledgement of our excellent technical competence and the performance of the Hightex team in engineering and installing international large-scale projects. Furthermore it is an extraordinary motivation bringing in our Hightex-membrane expertise in future outstanding projects.”
The International Achievement Awards for design excellence in specialty fabrics applications is organized by IFAI. IFAI is a not-for-profit trade association whose 1,800 member companies represent the international specialty fabrics marketplace of 55 countries in more than 30 product segments.
This year’s competition included 29 categories. IFAI received a total of 236 entries from companies in 13 countries. Winners were selected based on complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and function. Judges included industry experts, editors, architects, educators and design professionals who were chosen for their knowledge in a particular field of study or product area.
Hightex Group is systems engineering company, which designs, fabricates and installs large area, lightweight membrane roofs and façades worldwide, including cable and retractable systems. One of only two international companies to design and install these structures worldwide, Hightex has been involved in the construction of a number of high-profile buildings including the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, hosting games of the FIFA world cup in Brazil 2014, the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, venue for the final of Euro 2012, the first retractable membrane cushion roof at BC Place, the Cape Town Stadium and the roof of the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Wimbledon Centre Court retractable roof, the Burj al Arab Hotel in Dubai and the roof of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.