INTERIOR TENSION Project: Ilford Shopping Centre Project brief Despite its bold Art Deco design with gold trimmed columns, the double lift platform didn’t quite look finished. Architects Dunnet Craven specified an aesthetic canopy, enhanced by coloured LED lighting to provide a high level focal point as part of the refurbishment of the West Mall. Working at height was to be the biggest challenge. The lift shaft roof could only be accessed from the third floor of the building and only from one side. Design solution Fabric Architecture designed an aluminium, halo-shaped frame, which bolted to the lift shaft columns. Four new steel supports were bolted to the lift shaft roof to provide an anchor point for 18 small cables. These cables were key in holding the Crown in place, giving the appearance when viewed from below, that it is just hovering in mid air. The ‘crown’ of fabric, installed as part of a major refurbishment of the 1980s shopping centre, has a feel of the Statue of Liberty about it, perched high above the ground in the glass roofed central hall. A 100% polyester fabric canopy in white was fitted directly to the lightweight aluminium frame. LED lights illuminate the canopy, giving it a soft opaque glow. Fabric Architecture The art and science of tension

INTERIOR TENSION FABRIC Project: Ilford Shopping Centre Summary Client: Exchange Shopping Centre Location: Ilford, Essex Fabric Type: 100% Polyester Architect: Dunnet Craven Contractor: FB Ellmer Construction (Teddington) For more information or to discuss how we can help you, call Rob Arthur on Fabric Architecture Ltd 4 Nexus Brockworth Gloucestershire GL3 4AG +44 (0)1452 612 800 [email protected] www.fabricarchitecture.com Company registered in England No. 04119655