Sports Canopy, National Tennis Centre
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Demountable air-beam canopy that spans 42m over a clay tennis court allowing it to be used year-round
The canopy provides a safe and usable clay court surface at the headquarters of Lawn Tennis Association supporting player development.
Supported on Y-shaped steel columns the roof is constructed from composite pneumatic fabric beams that span 42 metres. These beams support 1600m2 of translucent fabric with efficient internal steel stiffening, braced by an exo-skeleton of tensile fabric and compressive struts.
The economic structure creates a visually clutter free playing environment while also maintaining the open nature of the site, meeting strict local Planning Policy on Metropolitan Open Land.
Data
- Begun: Nov 2009
- Completed: Feb 2010
- Floor area: 1,600m2
- Sector: Sports and leisure
- Total cost: £420,000
- Procurement: Architect lead research project, feasibility and design. Project built under a JCT standard form of contract, Design and Build 2005, Rev 1, 2007
- Address: The Lawn Tennis Association, The National Tennis Centre, 100 Priory Lane, Roehampton, London, SW15 5JQ, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: GSCA
- Project architect: George Stowell
- Client: The Lawn Tennis Association
- Structural engineer: Airlight Limited
- Services engineer: Arup
- Project manager: Buro Four
- Quantity surveyor: Robinson Low Francis
- Planning consultant: Rolfe Judd
- Approved building inspector : MLM Building Services
- CDM coordinator: PFB Construction Management Services
- Main contractor: Shelterdome
- Structural engineer: Arup
Suppliers
- Fabric specialist: Canobbio
- Fabric designer: Form TL
- Steelwork fabricator: Tubular Erectors
