| The tensile membrane canopies on the Old
Bank Shopping Arcade, Wellington, were the result of a limited
competition to find a replacement for dark canvas hooded
verandahs to this group of restored heritage buildings.
The design by Richard Wright uses new steel and translucent
PVC technology in a vigorous sequence of hyperbolic paraboloids,
which lightly touch the irregular nineteenth century neoclassical
face of the building.
The solution met a range of retailing prerequisites: shelter,
good natural light, and signage opportunities. It has contributed
to the resurgence of retailers’ interest in this 1999
restored shopping arcade.
Contractors
Skyspan Australia
Thermosash
MJH Engineering
Project manager
Promanco Kenman
|
