John Power Stand Fabric Ceiling
Project Details
Location: Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane QLD
Completion Date: 2010
Size: 877 sqm
Fabric: PVC Mesh - Ferrarri 392
Client: Watpac Speciality Services
The John Power Stand at Eagle Farm Racecourse is an iconic part of the Brisbane racing landscape, however the structure has aged leaving an unsightly concrete ceiling viewable from the main observation area. The John Power Stand Fabric Ceiling project involved MakMax engaged to supply a permeable ceiling structure to cover the concrete from view.
The Brief
Eagle Farm Racecourse is an iconic Brisbane building, hosting race days twice weekly and accommodating hoards of racegoers every year. The main stand named John Power Stand was erected in the 1950s. Since then the structure has aged leaving an unsightly concrete ceiling viewable from the main observation area.
The Materials
MakMax was engaged to supply a permeable ceiling structure to cover the concrete from view while allowing access for inspection purposes. This structure also needed to eliminate nesting areas for birds under the old roof.
The permeability of a membrane ceiling or soffit also helps to absorb sounds waves. Compared to the former bare concrete ceiling which reflects crowd noise, adding a fabric ceiling has reduced echo and reverberation, helping punters hear the race caller announce their big win.
MakMax engineers used the perimeter building walls, as well as the support columns to sustain the fabric, and the design is based on the principles of conical structures.
The Result
The addition of this fabric ceiling gave John Power Stand a much needed facelift, and today, the exclusive John Power Stand is home to Eagle Farm’s corporate suites and the Members-only Ascot Bar.
