Yacht Club Resort

Nansei, Japan

Typhoon Tried And Tested

Hightex created the transparent ETFE roof covering of the yachting club in Nansei near Nagoya. As well as architectural and technical issues, the unusually difficult wind conditions had to be taken into account. Under extreme conditions wind speeds of up to 215km/h (130mph) have been measured in Nagoya. In order to fulfil the design ideas of Prof. Kikutake, the polygonal base of approximately 150sq/m was provided with a flat steel grid structure. Fourteen double-layered ETFE membrane cushions, up to 17metres long and approximately two metres wide, were fixed to this structure. Only days after installation the structure resisted the heaviest typhoon in 34 years with speeds of 200 km/h. The membrane roof remained undamaged.