The 5,000m2 central food court of the ZOFRI complex is protected from the harsh sun of Northern Chile by the PVC coated polyester roof structure that employs passive ventilation. Winner of 1998 Outstanding Achievement award by International Fabric Association.

Covering an area of 5,500sqm, this tensile canopy at Iquique shopping centre in Chile provides both drama and environmental comfort in the middle of the desert.

The city of Iquique is the principle gateway for Asian imports into South America, and a huge centre for retail sales. Its significant role in consumer society within the continent makes a prime location for a modern and unique fabric structure such as the one created by Architen Landrell.

As the flagship structure of this type in South America, Iquique is pushing the boundaries of development in every respect and the fabric membrane provides an ideal method of shading the citys new focal point from the harsh solar rays of the desert environment.

The vast size of the structure meant its erection was full of pitfalls. In blistering desert heat, the Architen Landrell site crew tensioned the structure by progressively raising the height of the nine masts to pre-determined points. The height of the canopy demanded extra long masts to support it, and so they were fabricated in the UK in order to meet the exacting standards required. The length also guaranteed that they had to be made in sections for shipment to Chile and assembled on site.

Designed in conjunction with FTL Happold New York, the asymmetrical form was tailored for the complicated building plan. Meticulous planning and detailed design reduced on-site installation time to four weeks, an amazingly short programme for a structure of this size.