Side Pole Tensile
Umbrella Cable Edge
A sculptural series of side pole tensile membrane umbrellas , each unit defined by a single off-centre column and four free-flowing cable edges that radiate outward in a fluid, hypoid geometry.
Unlike a conventional centre-mast umbrella, the side pole configuration shifts the structural support entirely to one side — creating a dramatic cantilever effect that delivers a completely column-free zone beneath the membrane.
Each umbrella unit is an independent conical form, yet when deployed in series, the ensemble creates a visual rhythm of continuous, flowing canopies across the terrace.
All cable edges are left free and tensioned, reinforcing the organic, lightweight aesthetic of the installation.
The structural anchoring is resolved through a twin support system — combining available slab-level fixings at limited anchorage depth with additional support drawn from the retaining boundary wall.
This preserves the integrity of the existing finished terrace while efficiently transferring all tensile and cable forces into the available support points.
Side Pole Tensile
Umbrella System
Open-Air Terrace Pavilion
Designed for the open-air terrace pavilion of a corporate industrial facility, this series of side pole tensile umbrellas creates a versatile, multi-utility outdoor space for employees and guests alike.
The terrace functions as an informal breakout zone for daily employee use, a guest reception and hospitality facility, and a flexible open-air venue for a range of corporate purposes.
The column-free underspace ensured by the side pole geometry allows completely unobstructed movement and activity across the terrace — preserving the openness and freedom of the outdoor environment while delivering meaningful shelter and architectural character.
Side Pole Tensile
Umbrella System
Engineering The Impossible
When the architect ruled out every conventional tensile solution and presented MECANCO with a finished terrace, minimal anchoring options and a demand for something truly distinctive — our team responded with a solution that was as inventive as it was engineered.
The side pole umbrella concept was conceived specifically for this constraint — turning the limitation of edge-only support into a design opportunity.
By engineering a twin support system that intelligently combined slab anchorage with retaining wall fixings, every structural challenge was resolved without compromise to the finished terrace.
Beyond this project, its legacy runs deeper — it marked the formal introduction of MECANCO's Modular Side Pole Tensile Membrane Umbrella Series, offering standardised modules from 3m x 3m to 5m x 5m, making this distinctive umbrella form accessible across a wider range of projects and budgets.
A project that solved a design problem and simultaneously expanded our product portfolio.