The Materials

Forming part of Stage 2 of the new development, MakMax and our specialist ETFE installation partner, Sky Skills Industries, worked closely with head contractor Byte Construct to install the Link @ Langley ETFE Atrium. Even with the ultra-lightweight ETFE cladding, the massive area covered by the TensoSky atrium uses 74t of structural steel. A unique structure, the steel framework for the Link @ Langley ETFE atrium has been designed to retrofit onto the existing buildings, making use of the rooftop of the former Fortescue Metals HQ, as well as using anchor points on the vertical rear face of the adjoining Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The supporting steel on the atrium canopy is coated with a PUR5 (3-coat polyurethane) architectural paint system, designed to maintain colour and protect the steel from corrosion.

The single layer ETFE features a 16mm silver-dot frit pattern (P46D16 ) on the underside of ETFE. This provides solar gain protection, while still offering a translucency of 64%. The fit pattern is used to suit the atrium’s thermal and optical requirements.

The ETFE panels are supported by almost 200 GR316 stainless steel cables, threaded through specially designed and fabricated cable pockets welded to the underside of the ETFE. The cables are attached the steel rafters and then tensioned to create a solid exoskeleton to support the equally membrane. The ETFE is attached the steel frame via MakMax’s proprietary TensoSky single entry anodised aluminum ETFE clamps.

The canopy incorporates a bird-friendly repellent system consisting of sprung light gauge stainless steel parallel wires on stainless steel upstands to prevent perching (potentially causing damage to the ETFE).