Basketball Court Tensile Canopy System for Yuzui Cultural Center
Rural sports in Qingyuan are enhanced by this stepped PVDF installation covering 718㎡ of a cultural center. The community basketball court canopy supports multi-functional event use with robust weather-resistant open-space coverage.
Location
Qingyuan, China
Coverage（M²）
718㎡
Wind Speed
Wind 120 km/h
Complete Date
02/2024
Project Overview
This project is in Yingde District, Qingyuan, Guangdong, China, and was finished in February 2024. The basketball court is 15 m × 28 m, and it is covered by a tensile fabric roof measuring 17 m × 32 m. Around 718 m² of membrane was used. The roof is made of white PVDF architectural fabric (1100 g/m²) and meets B1 fire safety standards.
The project adopts a combined system of high-strength PVDF membrane and steel structure, guided by a design concept of lightweight construction, durability, and suitability for rural settings. The curved membrane form helps reduce wind load while creating a clean and modern visual identity that blends well with the village environment. As a result, the covered basketball court has become a central space for daily recreation, social interaction, and community activities, filling the gap for large outdoor cultural and sports facilities in the village.
Drawing Visualization
Visualizing before fabrication
Design & Renderings
Challenge - Solution
The client required an all-weather basketball court canopy with strong wind resistance, rain protection, and sun shading to ensure year-round usability, including during hot and rainy conditions.
The main design challenge of this project lies in the height difference between the basketball court canopy and the stage membrane structure. Two membrane systems with different spans had to be connected while ensuring proper load transfer. The basketball court requires a large-span structure with overall stability, while the smaller stage canopy needs to adapt to the height change without creating stress concentration that could damage the membrane.
To solve this, a lightweight portal steel frame was used for the stage area and connected to the main basketball court truss through adjustable cables. This allows loads at the height-difference zone to be transferred and distributed effectively. At the same time, the stepped roof design creates a smooth visual transition, keeps the basketball court free of visual obstruction, and provides sufficient shading for the stage area, allowing both spaces to function independently.
Installation - Support
During installation, both membrane areas had to be tensioned together at the height-difference connection. The large-span basketball court membrane required uniform overall tension, while the stage membrane needed localized adjustment to suit the level change. Improper tensioning could easily lead to wrinkles, tearing, or water leakage at the connection points.
To avoid these issues, a “main-first, secondary-later” tensioning sequence was applied. The basketball court membrane was tensioned first to stabilize the primary structure. The stage membrane was then tensioned based on the completed main canopy, with fine adjustments made at the height-difference nodes. Throughout the process, key connection points were closely monitored to control membrane stress and sealing performance, ensuring a smooth finish and long-term reliability.
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fabric Type | PVDF | |
| Frame Type | Truss Structure | |
| Design Load | Wind 120 km/h | |
| Design Life | 25-30 Yrs | |
| Warranty | 10 Years | |
