Public shade structures create comfortable, weather-protected spaces in airports, convention centres, outdoor shopping centres, and pedestrian malls. These structures shield pedestrians from sun and rain while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of public areas. Working with architects, retail developers, local governments, and community groups, MakMax Australia has designed signature tensile membrane structures for walkways, transport hubs, parks, and streetscapes across Australia.

With flexible designs, long lifespans, and low maintenance requirements, fabric architecture is ideal for large public spaces. Discover the benefits of tensile membranes in our  Top 5 Advantages of Architectural Fabric Structures.

Providing lightweight, UV-blocking, and waterproof coverage, tensile fabric structures create shaded and weather-protected pedestrian zones. These structures are easily installed around existing buildings, making them ideal for covered walkways in airports, shopping centres, and streetscapes.

MakMax Australia has a long history of creating shaded walkways. From the large entrance canopies at Mumbai Airport, to the stunning The Link Walkway at Chadstone Shopping Centre, we’ve protected pedestrian areas all over Australia and around the world. Some of the walkway structures we have created include;

• Extended awnings or portes cochères for building entrances and exits.
• Free-standing walkway structures in pedestrian malls or outdoor shopping centres.
• Covered connections from car parks or transit stations to airports.
• Passenger arrival zones and a covered concourse at airports.
• Covered walkways connecting school and university buildings, can offer students protection as they move about campus.
• Walkways that blur the lines between protection and art at major stadiums and events.

Public transport shelters serve as both functional and architectural elements, offering protection while making transport hubs more recognisable and user-friendly. Whether for train stations, bus stops, taxi ranks, or ferry terminals, a well-designed shade structure improves commuter comfort while reinforcing a city’s infrastructure identity.

With bold colours, striking shapes, and smart engineering, MakMax Australia’s tensile membrane public shade structures create visually appealing and highly durable shelters. Some of our featured transport projects include:

• Gold Coast Light Rail – Shelters for Helensvale, Parkwood & Parkwood East stations
• Chadstone Bus Interchange – Custom tensile canopy for commuter comfort
• Brisbane Airport – Ground transportation stations & covered link to parking
• Perth Airport – Taxi rank shade structures