Duncan’s Canvas recognized with Award of Excellence

Duncan’s Canvas Ltd., Hamilton, New Zealand, was awarded an Award of Excellence in the 2017 IFAI International Achievement Awards. The goal of the award-winning project was to replace the dead tree that had sheltered the Hamilton Zoo rhinoceros viewing platform with something that blended in well with the environment.

The resulting project is a steel “tree” shade structure with a galvanized steel central “trunk” and “branches” that extend out 10 meters in diameter. The tree is fitted with a shade mesh (Bluegum Comshade) tensioned over the frame, blending in well with the foliage of other trees in the area. During the construction process, the rhinos were relocated, so the project had to be designed and constructed quickly. Because rhinos like rolling in mud, it was difficult to get the truck crane into a suitable position to drill out the remaining tree stump and install the large foundations for the huge new “trunk” and lift the frame into place. The steel trunk goes three meters underground and stands six meters tall. Visitors to the Hamilton Zoo can now listen to presentations by zoo keepers in a lovely shaded spot as they enjoy the rhinos.

Shade Industries Inc., Phoenix, Ariz., was also awarded the Award of Excellence in the 2017 IFAI International Achievement Awards.