MakMax Australia has recently received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2010 International Achievement Award (IAA) held by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), for design excellence in specialty fabrics applications.
The innovative shade structure specialists received the highly respected award in the Commercial Canopies category for its John Power Stand project.
MakMax Managing Director Bernie Neylan said the company was proud to win such a prestigious award for a project that was not only so close to home, but one that also demonstrated the dynamic applications of tensile membrane designs.
“Our company was able to create a unique fabric ceiling that refreshed the overall image of the John Power Stand,” Mr Neylan said.
“Originally built in the 1950s, we used the perimeter of the historic building as well as the structural columns to support the fabric which in turn created an aesthetically pleasing and unique structure.
“As the main seating arena at the iconic Eagle Farm Racecourse, the John Power Stand project is literally just down the road from our Brisbane office,” Mr Neylan said.
The IFAI award ceremony took place at IFAI Expo Americas 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, where the annual trade event ran from October 27-29. IFAI Expo is the largest specialty fabrics trade show in the Americas.
Mr Neylan said that as the IFAI International Achievement Awards (IAA) has recognised excellence in design and innovation for more than six decades, winning the Commercial Canopies category for this project was even more special.
“Having been operating in Australia since the 1980s, at MakMax we pride ourselves on creating the highest designs for each project need and all with the budget in mind,” Mr Neylan said.
“The John Power Stand project is a perfect example of this, being a creative and effective combination of high tensile fabric working together with a traditional solid structure.”
In all, IFAI received 383 entries from 13 countries. Entries were judged by industry experts, editors, architects, educators and design professionals who were selected for their knowledge in a particular field of study or product area. Winners were selected based on complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and function.
The goal of the International Achievement Awards is to promote awareness of the specialty fabrics used in thousands of products and applications.
Since World Expo 88, MakMax has been winning awards in recognition for their innovative design and advanced fabric technology.
For further information, photos and detailed project descriptions of the award winners visit the IFAI official website at www.ifaipublications.com/iaa/.