hamma Project Showcase: Kai Tak Sports Canopy, Hong Kong
Posted on Friday 20th September 2024
At hamma, we are proud to have played a key role in the Kai Tak Sports Canopy project in Kowloon, Hong Kong, completed in 2023. This impressive tensile structure, covering over 7,000 sqm (approximately 75,347 ft²), showcases our expertise in delivering innovative stainless steel cable solutions for large-scale architectural projects.
Project Overview
The canopy, designed to support an ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) double-layer cushion, required advanced engineering to meet its complex structural needs. Fabritecture, a leading designer and developer of bespoke tensile architectural and fabric structures, was tasked with delivering the canopy, and they chose hamma Australian Distributors Arcus Wire Group Pty Ltd for the highly specialised cable systems.
Partnering with Maffeis Engineering, a renowned name in tensile architecture, ensured the project maintained both its aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. The Kai Tak Sports Canopy demanded a delicate balance of strength, flexibility, and durability—all of which were delivered through our stainless steel wire rope systems.
Our Contribution
For the Kai Tak Sports Canopy, Arcus Wire Group supplied a total of 5,324 cables of various lengths to support the ETFE cushions.
Key materials and components included:
- Wire Rope: Over 17,000 metres of hamma® X 6.0mm 1×19 stainless steel wire rope, carefully designed to handle the tensile stresses imposed by the canopy’s structure.
- Bespoke Fittings: A total of 10,000 custom-made hamma® stainless steel swage forks were manufactured. Given the project’s oversized cleats, we designed and produced swage forks with oversized heads to accommodate the enlarged plates. These custom fittings ensured a secure and seamless integration into the structure.
We utilised cutting-edge 3D printing technology to prototype the swage fork fittings, enabling our team to review and refine the designs before moving forward with full-scale production. All cables and fittings were manufactured in November 2022, after which they underwent rigorous quality checks before being shipped to Hong Kong for installation.
All cable designs and shop drawings for the Kai Tak Sports Canopy were meticulously completed in-house by the hamma team. Our experienced engineers and designers ensured that every aspect of the cable systems was tailored to meet the specific requirements of the project. From conceptual design to detailed shop drawings, our in-house expertise allowed us to maintain full control over the quality and precision of the final products, ensuring seamless integration with the canopy’s overall structure.
Challenges and Solutions
One of the primary challenges involved the need for bespoke fittings due to the oversized cleats used in the design. To address this, we developed swage forks with oversized heads to fit the enlarged plates, ensuring both the functionality and aesthetic integrity of the canopy.
The use of 3D printing allowed us to create accurate prototypes quickly, enabling real-time adjustments to the designs before committing to full-scale production. This process saved time and resources while ensuring the final fittings met the project’s exacting standards.
The tensile nature of the canopy required cables that could provide flexibility without compromising strength. Our hamma® X 6.0mm 1×19 stainless steel wire rope was the ideal choice, offering the required balance between tensile strength and elasticity for long-lasting structural support.
Collaborative Expertise
The success of the Kai Tak Sports Canopy project highlights the importance of collaboration. Fabritecture brought their vision and expertise in tensile structures, while Maffeis Engineering ensured the engineering behind the project was both sound and durable. Our ongoing partnership with both companies continues to result in outstanding architectural achievements.
Looking Ahead
The Kai Tak Sports Canopy stands as a symbol of what can be accomplished when innovation and collaboration come together. At hamma, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of architectural design by providing world-class stainless steel cable solutions tailored to the needs of every project.
With a commitment to excellence, we look forward to continuing our work on groundbreaking projects that shape the future of architecture.